Total Video Game Ban Proposed in Afghanistan
Total Video Game Ban Proposed in Afghanistan
April 18, 2008
Pakistan's Daily Times reports that video games (and not just the violent ones) may be banned in neighboring Afghanistan if a legislative proposal currently under review is adopted.From the newspaper report:
An Afghan legislative committee has drafted a bill seeking to introduce Taliban-style Islamic morality codes... The draft... needs approval by both chambers of the Islamist-dominated parliament and President Hamid Karzai's (left) signature to become a law...
The proposals also demand an end to dog and bird-fighting, pigeon-flying, billiards and video games, all past times favoured by many Afghans... The plans mirror many of the laws introduced by the extremist Taliban regime, which ruled the country from 1996 to 2001 with strict Islamic Sharia law.
Via: Bloggey Kong
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Posted 08/27/08 at 04:05pm
SimonBob: HB: I actually voted for the old Green party, back before the treehuggers took over from the small-c conservatives.
SimonBob: HB: I actually voted for the old Green party, back before the treehuggers took over from the small-c conservatives.
Posted 08/27/08 at 02:57pm
ZippyDSMlee: So bascily the 2 aprty setup is soemthign that has not evolved any....
ZippyDSMlee: So bascily the 2 aprty setup is soemthign that has not evolved any....
Posted 08/27/08 at 02:04pm
Dark Sovereign: @Joel: Their entitled to their bull like the rest of us are.
Dark Sovereign: @Joel: Their entitled to their bull like the rest of us are.
Posted 08/27/08 at 02:02pm
HarmlessBunny: Awww Jack is calling the Florida Bar: "The Florida Gay Bar". How mature! :D
HarmlessBunny: Awww Jack is calling the Florida Bar: "The Florida Gay Bar". How mature! :D
Posted 08/27/08 at 01:54pm
JoelWhy: Wow, I am so tired of these Hillary-worshippers who can't get over the fact that she lost. Dems keep finding new ways to lose.'
JoelWhy: Wow, I am so tired of these Hillary-worshippers who can't get over the fact that she lost. Dems keep finding new ways to lose.'
Posted 08/27/08 at 01:41pm
Dark Sovereign: @Harmlessbunny: We in America have something like forty of those parties. We have 5 parties that actually produce prez candies
Dark Sovereign: @Harmlessbunny: We in America have something like forty of those parties. We have 5 parties that actually produce prez candies
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:53pm
sortableturnip: JT needs help from the ACLU here: http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2008/08/27/the-name-game.aspx
sortableturnip: JT needs help from the ACLU here: http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2008/08/27/the-name-game.aspx
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:51pm
GryphonOsiris: However this is limited to five years.
GryphonOsiris: However this is limited to five years.
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:50pm
GryphonOsiris: @Chuma, actually, sarin kept in a binary form for things like self mixing shells can extend the life of the chemical.
GryphonOsiris: @Chuma, actually, sarin kept in a binary form for things like self mixing shells can extend the life of the chemical.
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:45pm
DarkTetsuya: @questionmark1987 I'm guessing they're waiting till his licensectomy this September... should be fun to watch ^^;
DarkTetsuya: @questionmark1987 I'm guessing they're waiting till his licensectomy this September... should be fun to watch ^^;
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:35pm
questionmark1987: SO at what point can webmasters start filing suit against Thompson for harrassment?
questionmark1987: SO at what point can webmasters start filing suit against Thompson for harrassment?
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:23pm
HarmlessBunny: OH OH OH http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2008/08/26/whos-backing-who.aspx?pg=2&view=linear#Comment Jack gets priceless in here!
HarmlessBunny: OH OH OH http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2008/08/26/whos-backing-who.aspx?pg=2&view=linear#Comment Jack gets priceless in here!
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:18pm
HarmlessBunny: For EZK: http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2008/08/26/whos-backing-who.aspx#comment-1316308
HarmlessBunny: For EZK: http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2008/08/26/whos-backing-who.aspx#comment-1316308
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:10pm
E. Zachary Knight: link please
E. Zachary Knight: link please
Posted 08/27/08 at 12:03pm
sortableturnip: JT is threatening the webmaster at JAABlog, saying he changed a word in his post so that it was mispelled HA HA HA!
sortableturnip: JT is threatening the webmaster at JAABlog, saying he changed a word in his post so that it was mispelled HA HA HA!
Posted 08/27/08 at 11:35am
HarmlessBunny: Well we in Canada to have the joke parties, like Bloc Quebecois and NDP (New Democrat Party) OH and the new "Green Party" :)
HarmlessBunny: Well we in Canada to have the joke parties, like Bloc Quebecois and NDP (New Democrat Party) OH and the new "Green Party" :)
Posted 08/27/08 at 11:07am
Talouin: @Azhrarn: It's the same in Canada. Only two parties to form a federal gov't are Liberals and Conservatives.
Talouin: @Azhrarn: It's the same in Canada. Only two parties to form a federal gov't are Liberals and Conservatives.
Posted 08/27/08 at 10:42am
Zevorick: Yeah, but you can find a lot of things in Texas that don't count. I should know, i've lived here all my life.
Zevorick: Yeah, but you can find a lot of things in Texas that don't count. I should know, i've lived here all my life.
Posted 08/27/08 at 09:04am
sqlrob: wehrgeist - there have been more WMDs found in Tyler , Texas than Iraq
sqlrob: wehrgeist - there have been more WMDs found in Tyler , Texas than Iraq
Posted 08/27/08 at 08:16am
Azhrarn: So they have been effectively 2-party for a century now. (not counting coalitions of all parties)
Azhrarn: So they have been effectively 2-party for a century now. (not counting coalitions of all parties)
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Comments
Fear is more universal than Jesus, as far as the US goes. So while the policies will be at least as restricting, they won't be a face-value religious standard. (Assuming they got/continue to get their way.)
God, I feel so sorry for these people. As Malygris said, the video game aspect is the least of worries compared to the rest their proposing.
I'm sure thats what Afghan JT would say. ;)
Y'know, I TRY to defend my people on some of our beliefs, but this is just ridiculous. Sometimes I wonder if I should bother to keep trying.
On the subject at hand i just find it rather ironic, we cant stop them so really where are we in the world now especially if we are defending them if this law passes. Are we then supporting the extremist groups who we say were responsible for the attacks that brought us to this place to begin with? As far as i see it now this law passes we have gone full circle with many dead and wounded to see a nice little circle jerk of pro democracy voices getting silenced quickly to only see the vocal minority pass the laws the way it used to be. The only change is how they were put into power, an elected legislature can trample rights as easily as a king or a dictator, democracy seems to not be as shiny as it used to be.
As it is the peoples elected representatives if they wish it changed they need to speak up or let the life slip back to the way it was and for certain groups in society nothing has changed. Women are still regarded poorly and looked down upon and homosexuality is still an offense more heinous than many felonies in the US.
Support Freedom i think not, we support Tyranny as we have since this whole clusterf**k started.
Wow...
Islamic countries tend to become pretty theocratic. IMO, a theocracy is mutually exclusive to freedom and common sense. In a country where it would take a lifetime to buy a computer or gaming console making the average yearly income, I don't really think it's too much of a concern anyway.
Does this not sound familiar to anyone?
.....
What?
No seriously, WHAT???!!!
Im not serious!
How goes the opium fields?
As far as the Taliban goes, I can't say much. I know they were asking for evidence, and if it was valid, they would have turned Bin Laden over. The US didn't supply any, which isn't surprising since the FBI itself has said that they didn't have hard evidence linking Bin Laden to 9-11. And last I checked it wasn't on his rap sheet.
Most of the Taliban hotshots left before the invasion anyway. The US had already amassed troops at the borders prior to 9-11. And if IRC, the order to attack them was signed on the 10th.
Little off topic, but who's counting?
Is it just me, or has gaming there been grouped up with other pastimes that may involve gambling?
No worries about gaming being a called murder simulator over there - their factions have been shooting each other even before Tv was invented. Or bolt-actions rifles for that matter.
End to Dog and Bird fighting.. okay, that's acceptable. Harming animals is counter-productive and creates a bad image for the country.. Banning billiards... Now you just look like psychopaths who are convinced that tiny ceramic spheres will bring God's wrath down upon you.
Oh, right, the video game ban. Yeah, dumb.
Gift.
Ahmed2: More than being a constant warzone?
Ahmed: Yes more than being a constant warzone let's ban anything our people like to do that involves escapism and getting away from the harsh reality they live in.
Ahmed2: Ahmed my brother you are so holy you surely will go to heaven, the suffering you cause on others in the name of being righteous is just so beautiful.
The extremists in the middle east = American christian fundamentalists.
This is yet another arguement for why we shouldn't have invaded Iraq. We were obviously not done in Afganistan. I mean, seriously? Before the Taliban, Afganistan was on the fast track to becoming quite the modern country. Women even wore western clothing and attended Universities. Then boom, Islamic extremism turned the country into a shithole. We go in and oust the extremists... only for them to elect more extremists? What are they, masochists?
Bring all the soldiers home now and let them stew in their own injustice.
Any level headed Christian will tell you to love the sinner and hate the sin. Not to discriminate against the sinner but extend them peace and love. Jesus Christ himself spent most of his adult life with some of the most hated and disrespected people of his times because he knew that they needed the most help.
I have found your statements in these comments to be some of the most blatantly offensive I've ever read. Your comments are nearly to the point of fearmongering.
Sorry to be off topic.
He said "Christian Zealots" , I think that pretty much implies extremist Christianity. And yes, if those sort ever did come to power, than yes, many of the rights and fun that we take for granted now WOULD be taken away.
He never said all Christians = EVIL.
Haven't you been paying attention these past few years? In full force, they have been active in efforts to censor media, ban abortions, repress gays, and push creationism and put us back into the dark ages.
Are these actions the result of all christians? Of course not- just like these new Afghan laws are likely pushed by a vocal minority. That does not change the fact that these laws are very real.
In general, I don't think the "fundamentalists" will ever gain much power here. Voters like putting Christians in office, but usually only ones that are tempered with moderate tendancies. Extremism doesn't sell very well in politics, at least not in the US. Oh sure, we love to listen to extreme leftists and rightists on the radio, but we (most of us) don't want them to have any real power.
Zerodash does tend to bring this up a lot, but it is relevant, and outside of semantics or the gross generalizations (that I'm not confident he even intends) it's largely true.
I'm under the impression that the Middle East was meant to be further destabalized, I said it before either of the wars. I'm also 99% sure that there are PNAC, Builderburg, CFR, etc reports that suggest my theory was their plan all along.
I do however depart from Zero in terms of the overarching mechanics of these politicians. I believe that the 'War on Terror' is an absolute farse, and it's merely an open ticket to pass draconian laws, and utilize fear to rally the people behind whatever agenda is on their tables.
"Any level headed Christian will tell you to love the sinner and hate the sin."
How fortunate that you have such Politicians.
And this is Afghanistan governing itself. The Afghan people have been liberated by the foreign oppressors (the Taliban) and now can choose their own destiny. That is a beautiful thing. As for the bill, it hasn't passed yet. Let's wait and see before going all alarmist.
My main intent when I bring this up is to point out that religious extremists in the mid-east aren't any different from the ones we have in the west.
Its easy to sit and laugh at how "backwards", "barbaric", and "archaic" the muslim world is. We really aren't so different from these "backwards" people as a society. The only difference is that the zealots have more power in those nations.
I still contend that the zealots in the USA must be treated as a serious threat.
The whats?
I think he thinks I'm a 9-11 Truther? /shrug
Even if that's what you mean, you still make horribly offensive generalizations about all Christians. Remember when you said the entire faith is a hate group? And there is a GIGANTIC difference.
1) The zealots are not mainstream here. Fearmonger about them all you want, but they still have no power.
2) We have constitutional laws to protect us.
3) I can't exactly speak for Islam, but the zealots often forget God's teachings when they preach this kind of thing.
4) When they become an actual threat (read: they do something) we treat them as such.
5) We are far past these people. The very fact that the zealots do not have power can be offered as proof.
@ Zerodash, I'm sorry if I jumped the gun on you, but you haven't always been as level headed in your comments that clearly show your dislike of christianity.
@ Wag
“Any level headed Christian will tell you to love the sinner and hate the sin.”
Silly how the Bible says to hate the sinner and hate the sin. But I guess that's the modern Christian's interpetation of the Bible.
@ Rhade
For me I can't say anything with regards to your theory, but you've got a point of how politicians have used the "War on Terror" to establish unfair laws.
Given if the 'Patriot Act' was given a different name and was sold without even saying anything with regards to terrorism. There would've have been an uproar, but that's not what happened. With a small mention of terrorists and an American sounding name people approved of this unconstitutional document right away without reading the damned paper. Kind of sad how America is being manipulated, and isn't it a wonder that all politicians had to be extremely wealthy if they wanted to go on these campaign trips?
Please point out the line in the Bible where it says hate the SINNER. Please. It would enlighten a lot of Christians who frequent this blog. I am familiar with the passage that says hate the sin but nowhere have I seen the other part. If you're going to quote something please reference where it is.
It is statements like yours, good sir, that give people who AREN'T Christians a bad name. It's easy enough to say a certain group of people is this or that. It's something else entirely to realize AND accept that that is a minority. I suppose that would simply be common sense though right?
I didn't realise GP was in Pakistan?!??!
Nice one.
@ Dark
Jimmy Fallien, Pat Robertson both set up multimillion dollar churches/business that supported extreme right wing christian senetors, they may not have DIRECT power indirect is sometimes just as powerful. And if it was true that they have no power why did Venezuala get pissy for Pat Robertsons comments? If he was just a no body they wouldn't have said anything. Thruth be told we aren't TRUELY protected by the constitution.
@ Rhade
Nah to well spoken and not frothing at the mouth to be a thruther.
@ Zerodash
I see the point of a few people assuming you hate christianity in general, a lot of the comments do point a generalization out.
Nose out of the Old Testament Please, thats the jewish "bible" To those of the jewish faith please correct the fact I called it a "bible" I'm not sure of the poper term.
The new testamaent Ya know the one with Jesus, openly speaks agianst violence and hate (thought it does appear nemourse times)
In regards to the "Patiot Act" there was an upraor about it the first passing, news stations said very little following the 9/11 tragidy, mostly for the fact they realized "Hey we can rape such a horrid event for viewers!"
Venezuala gets pissed at everything. Chavez is a nutcase, you should be familiar with this by now. Robertson's not a nobody, but his influence is limited. And yes, they are. The first amendment protects religious freedom as well as the freedom to express opinion. You do not get to choose who has or doesn't have their speech protected. It's everybody or your a hypocrite, no matter who gets offended.
I understand your point very well. If the government actually listens to christain extremeists (Which I have heard that they are listening to some of them), then we might actaully be in trouble.
But what is coming of it, besides laws that get shot down?
Do you share that same attitude towards anti-gaming legislation?
/devil's advocate
I don't quite follow. I oppose any attempt by Christian groups to put the Faith into law. We are supposed to CONVINCE people that our way is good, not force them.
I think that's his point. The anti-gaming laws keep getting shot down. Nothing has come out of them except wasted tax dollars.
Talking to yourself again on t3h int3rw3bz! lol sorry couldn't help that :D. Yeah Chavez is a nut case but not as much as the Elvis impersanating "president" Kim- Jong-Il. And true that the link I drew between Robertson and Chavez being pissy is weak. Though we truely aren't protected by the constitution as far as the individual anyways. Honestly a lot of my arguement was EXTREMLY flawed, I just really love arguing, tis be why I love the GP forums always someone to debate with without it coming to "0h j4h well j00 g4y!"
@ Chopperlink
You mean something other than a few million down the tubes? I will miss my tax money.
I was just douching around... but now I'm too tired to even bother salvaging anything that might be construed as a slightly valid argument, if only by accident.
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/wii_video_games_blamed_for_rise_in
Is that the Effeminate crime article? Can't view it from the office.
The Greek ban ended in 2003-ish. The law was adjusted to only affect public places like arcades and internet cafes.
Yeah.
If it's a minority of people (ala the Taliban) who are using force to control the people and support things like this, well that's where I take issue with it.
Otherwise they are just doing what they believe to be best, and as long as a gun isn't being pointed at their head, their family being threatened, they will always have the ability to change their minds in the future.
I feel really bad for these people,glad I live in the States.
(She supported and funded Taliban in Afghanistan.)
What...oh they arent?
Well you cant blame me for being mistaken can you...
Oppress, oppress, oppress!
Wait... I don't think that even Grand Theft Auto II was out when the holy wars were started... oh well, we can just blame it on Custer's Revenge or something. It's not like anyone will fact check it.
Seriously, billiards?
Not religion. Pakistani Islam.
"I just hope democracy takes better hold in Afghanistan, that way once the Afghan people are fed up with stupid and oppressive laws they can vote to change them."
But this is the result of democracy. When you give a majority or plurality power via the ballot box (in this case, Islamists), they tend to use it against the minority..
@Zerodash
"As backwards as this sounds, NEVER FORGET that this is percisely the kind of legislation we would see if christian zealots gain more political power in the US."
Except for the fact that almost 19 out of every 20 legislators supporting anti-game laws in this country are secular (so-called) liberals..
"But this is the result of democracy. When you give a majority or plurality power via the ballot box (in this case, Islamists), they tend to use it against the minority.."
I don't think it's that clear cut. If it is the will of the majority then why do they play music at weddings, in mixed company? Also what of dog and bird-fighting, pigeon-flying and billiards? How is the proposal the will of the people when these activities are enjoyed by so many? I dare say some of the proposed laws might be popular but by no means all, which is why I said video games aren't really the issue here.
It seems to me that in this case it appears that Afghan MPs are going beyond their popular mandate and pursuing their own agenda. (Not terribly unusual as we usually have to vote for who we disagree with least; sometimes politicians do go further than their constituents would like.) Hence my comment, if this does upset the Afghan electorate, then I hope they can still vote for change when the time comes.
Gift.
Really Mrs. Bhutto supported extremism? Really, being pro west, and being exiled from her own country when radicle clerics damned she leave or face death? Wow never knew
@ New Spectrum
Read a little more would ya kid? I took the liberty of fetching a wiki for you to read and learn a little. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benazir_Bhutto#Charges_of_corruption
Oh right. Pool is trouble. With a capital T, which rhymes with P, which starts with 'pool'.
Behold! A "The Music Man" reference!
if anything, we should have done things right in the first place and out some extreme pressure to make it a open culture. This just makes me mad. I know it would not be neccesarly fair that they would be forced to accept secularism, woman's rights, etc. but it would have been good in the long run.
Submitting it now...
... or did i miss something?
You're right, it may not be the will of an absolute majority. If, say, only half the population voted for any representative, and half-plus-one of them voted for theocrats, they could win via a relative majority with just 26% of the population. This is what I meant by a plurality.
In practice, democracy isn't so much about the consent of the governed, but rather who can get the largest number of active supporters to the polls. Without checks on democratic power, it's not hard to end up with mob rule by a relatively small mob.
Ahmad:So, yeah...not diggin' this whole ban thing.
Abdul al-Rahman:Okay, let me load my gun...
If this proposal passes and becomes law, my heart goes out to all the Afghan people out there being robbed of one of the greatest past-times on Earth.
The way I understand it Afghans are very traditional people and have very specific wedding rituals that this law would curtail severely. I'm amazed by any government, even a coalition formed by necessity, suggesting such unpopular legislation. Evidently, their elected representatives feel a little to secure in their positions... or else they are worryingly out of touch with the people they claim to represent. Either way, I'll be very interested to see what happens if this bill becomes law.
Gift.
Pigeon-flying I don't get why it should be made illegal and why ban videogames or billiards. Or maybe they want to ban pigeon-flying and billiards because you van bet on the outcome of these things? And this is against some (strict) Islamic code?
I still don't gewt why videogames should be banned, though. Even games for kids like most games on the Nintendo DS or the Wii. Some very violent games maybe, I can understand why they want to ban them, but not every videogame ever made. (note that I don't beleive any games should be banned, I'm just saying that I sort of understand why they want to ban say Manhun 2) I mean why don't they just ban radio&tv at the same time?
At least they have banned flying kites or chess yet - as the Talibans did. But eventually they might get around to it. (I hope not, though).
Please alos note that officially Afghanistan is not a theocracy like Iran or Saudi-Arabia. It is a democracy (of sorts). Laws must be passed by a majority in both Houses and signed by the President to become the law of the land. That way, of these bills do get a majority vote, it is the will of the Afghan people that shines through, as they have chosen their represen-tatives in a (somewhat) free & fair election. And if they want to make it so in their own backyard, I don't think we in the West really can complain.
They have their freedom to do what they want in their own backyard or home - exactly as we do.
Awesome I love that movie... and Show
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Animal fighting is illegal in the states as well, it still happens and animal protection agencies try to stop it.
so they're gonna kill all pigeons that try to fly?
This is an unfortunate event for humanity and the ideals of freedom.
# Moriarty70 Says:
April 18th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Freedom means being allowed to do stupid shit.
I think this is why 'pigeon flying' is to be made illegal, I think, since betting is against the Islmaic religion. In some instances, it is against the Christian religion, too.
"I dont want to follow no child molestor, sex offendor, prophet pretender,
ain't going to follow no child molestor, Islam's not for me"
Oooh, I feel like a salesman..."Hey Afghanistan, if you choose not to enact and limit all freedoms of speech, you can ACTUALLY SAVE MONEY! And isn't that what every government tries to do?"
Not nuke 'em so they'll be free, but nuke 'em so the rest of the world would be a much better place.
And I'm NOT joking.
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