Connecticut Senator Backpedals From GTA IV Rape Comments
Connecticut Senator Backpedals From GTA IV Rape Comments
June 27, 2008
On Wedneday GamePolitics reported on comments attributed to Connecticut State Senator Gayle Slossberg (D) regarding an alleged rape scene in Grand Theft Auto IV.
No such sequence exists, however.
PSXextreme now has Sen. Slossberg's response to the furor created by the earlier report, which appeared in the New Haven Advocate. Slossberg's statement reads:
The article in the New Haven Advocate misrepresented my off-the-record-comments during an informal conversation about parenting. I was in no way announcing a legislative proposal, announcing intent to introduce legislation or taking a public position on restricting the content of video games.
GP: It's unclear what Sen. Slossberg means when she says that the Advocate "misrepresented" her remarks. Her insistence that her comments were "off-the-record" would seem to indicate that she may have indeed made the remarks, but did not anticipate that they would be reported. We can't help but notice that the Senator has not issued a denial of what the Advocate reported.
GamePolitics has requested comment on the issue from the Advocate. We will report that when it is received.
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Posted 08/29/08 at 03:21pm
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: because they are hurt/disabled and can't drink yet, I know lower the drinking age!! Make im real adults. :P
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: because they are hurt/disabled and can't drink yet, I know lower the drinking age!! Make im real adults. :P
Posted 08/29/08 at 02:50pm
Dark Sovereign: I have one question: Why are soldiers constantly treated as victims and children?
Dark Sovereign: I have one question: Why are soldiers constantly treated as victims and children?
Posted 08/29/08 at 02:45pm
Dark Sovereign: @thefremen: Glad to see you haven't left the past yet. I'll wait until you're in 2008.
Dark Sovereign: @thefremen: Glad to see you haven't left the past yet. I'll wait until you're in 2008.
Posted 08/29/08 at 02:18pm
Meggie: *doing
Meggie: *doing
Posted 08/29/08 at 02:17pm
Meggie: Dr. Phil is going an Everquest addiction episode, this a repeat?
Meggie: Dr. Phil is going an Everquest addiction episode, this a repeat?
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:52am
ZippyDSMlee: feeman:DS is saying goverment would exspand more if the duims get in, he's probly right.
ZippyDSMlee: feeman:DS is saying goverment would exspand more if the duims get in, he's probly right.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:51am
thefremen: LOL, yes, the government has not expanded at all in the last 8 years, especially not for the benefit of corporate entities.
thefremen: LOL, yes, the government has not expanded at all in the last 8 years, especially not for the benefit of corporate entities.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:51am
thefremen: LOL, yes, the government has not expanded at all in the last 8 years, especially not for the benefit of corporate entities.
thefremen: LOL, yes, the government has not expanded at all in the last 8 years, especially not for the benefit of corporate entities.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:43am
ZippyDSMlee: DS- http://forums.theeca.com/showthread.php?p=84679#post84679 In OT BTW
ZippyDSMlee: DS- http://forums.theeca.com/showthread.php?p=84679#post84679 In OT BTW
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:32am
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: Sure ^^
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: Sure ^^
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:29am
Dark Sovereign: @zip: Make the thread. I'm just not active there.
Dark Sovereign: @zip: Make the thread. I'm just not active there.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:28am
SimonBob: Heh, I was just playing with the semantics for my own amusement, not trying to shoehorn my way into the argument.
SimonBob: Heh, I was just playing with the semantics for my own amusement, not trying to shoehorn my way into the argument.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:28am
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: Iwish you would join the forums so we can have a full conversation these shouts are stifling!
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: Iwish you would join the forums so we can have a full conversation these shouts are stifling!
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:27am
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign:force them into the wilderness to die off...this is the reality of not taking into account what to do with the lower classes.
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign:force them into the wilderness to die off...this is the reality of not taking into account what to do with the lower classes.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:26am
Dark Sovereign: @zip: What are you talking about? Less government means less taxes. Less taxes means more money in average Joe's pockets.
Dark Sovereign: @zip: What are you talking about? Less government means less taxes. Less taxes means more money in average Joe's pockets.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:26am
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: you DO realize there were roving shanty towns and poor hosues before social secuty was started? they were hives for poverty and disease,hell with todays "cleanliness" in housing code you can not have them anymore and states will just forc
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: you DO realize there were roving shanty towns and poor hosues before social secuty was started? they were hives for poverty and disease,hell with todays "cleanliness" in housing code you can not have them anymore and states will just forc
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:22am
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: noobies and their silly definition ^_~, but I ahve to ask how do you keep millions off the streets, taking twice as much money from states without social security and health care?
ZippyDSMlee: Dark Sovereign: noobies and their silly definition ^_~, but I ahve to ask how do you keep millions off the streets, taking twice as much money from states without social security and health care?
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:22am
Dark Sovereign: You ASSUME that not giving tons of handouts to people will make them poor. America itself shows you are wrong.
Dark Sovereign: You ASSUME that not giving tons of handouts to people will make them poor. America itself shows you are wrong.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:17am
Dark Sovereign: Fascism involves ever-expanding government. I just argued the exact opposite.
Dark Sovereign: Fascism involves ever-expanding government. I just argued the exact opposite.
Posted 08/29/08 at 10:17am
Dark Sovereign: Do either of you have any idea what "fascism" or totalitarianism IS? You aren't showing it.
Dark Sovereign: Do either of you have any idea what "fascism" or totalitarianism IS? You aren't showing it.
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Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
She never responded to my letter.
So, sounds like she doesn't care about the people she's supposed to represent. Guess I'll have to vote for her opponent next time.
To be fair, she must have gotten hundreds of email, you shouldn't expect her to respond to each one
BTW I got a reply to email I sent (granted its was the same prepared statement that PSXextreme got) and I don't even live in Connecticut
Excuse me? She's HIS REPRESENTATIVE!!! It's her responsibility to respond.
Those of us who have zero voting power against her being ignored or responses delayed make some sense and she can have a pass on that. However, an elected official who represents the person writing the letter to her, has no excuse for not responding. That is a blatent reason for someone to be removed from office.
-Loudspeaker
"Volume helps to get a point across but sharp teeth are better."
I'm certain its not her job to sit there and answer emails all day, of which (i would hope) she gets 100s of about more pressing issues than alleged video game legislation intentions.
I'd wait at least a week, 2 tops. Then get irrate :)
Yeah but most congressmen have an assistant to help filter mail and send out form letters.
E. Zachary Knight
www.editorialgames.com
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
If I had even gotten a form letter response, I would have taken it. But nothing. absolutely nothing.
I'm rather disgusted right now.
In most states, contacting your representative and/or senator is required an answer. Usually, its in the form of a letter on stationary, address to the letter writer on the elect offical's stance on an issue. That is for most states, not all of them.
However, like everything else, if your considered a 'no-body' by the offical, chances are slim to none the person will care about you. Now if that doesnt offend you, dont get worked up over it. If you, then you might just be a real American. If you still do not get satification, you can always throw your support in for their opponent(s) in the next race.
I got a letter back, it was basically copy-pasted exactly what the above statement said, but also said to ask questions if I have them, and apologized =)
Oh, I've got it right here
Dear Mr. *Last Name Withheld*:
Thank you for contacting my office with your concerns.
The article in the New Haven Advocate misrepresented my off-the-record-comments during an informal conversation about parenting. I was in no way announcing a legislative proposal, announcing intent to introduce legislation or taking a public position on restricting the content of video games.
Thank you again for your interest. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
With warm regards,
Gayle Slossberg
Whoops, no apology, my bad
Yeah. I got the SAME EXACT response. Probably because when you say something stupid to a newspaper, you're going to get a LOT of people writing you an email to correct your rhetorical blunder. At that point, you simply must pass the buck off to the newspaper itself - ad infinitum.
I replied to Slossberg again and suggested she request a retraction from New Haven Advocate if indeed her comments were misrepresented. She has not written me back - likely because no stock response yet exists from her office on this matter.
I'm shocked and outraged! How dare they expose the blatant ignorance of a public official?
In fairness, she did ask for confirmation, but she really should be aware of her position, and that what she says is listened to.
Did she say anything about the rape comment? I can't get to the PSX site.
E. Zachary Knight
www.editorialgames.com
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
She's still sidestepping the article. There's no denial of her comments only that they were "misrepresented". I'm not buying it. Was there some journalistic spin on what she said? Most likely, however the more believable scenario is she was in, "talking with parents who want zero responsibility" mode while she was being interviewed.
I'm waiting with great anticipation on the Advocate's response.
-Loudspeaker
"Volume helps to get a point across but sharp teeth are better."
"The article in the New Haven Advocate misrepresented my off-the-record-comments during an informal conversation about parenting. "
I... see.
So your idea, senator, of good Parenting, is to spread rumors, lie to and deceive individuals and Parents, about content in media?
Uh huh. Interesting moral character there.
But then, a lot of individuals, organizations, and government officials and entities who scream "Family Values", "Protect the children!" seem to have those same ideas of "morality".
I wonder if she knows Cooper Lawrence?
Nighttwng2000
NW2K Software
Nightwng2000 has also updated his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/nightwing2000 Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl
Oh dude, don't even get me started on Cooper Lawrence.
If I ever see "The Cult of Perfection" in a book store I'm going to buy it just so I can light it on fire.
Wouldn't she still get money from that? Surely there's some way to get the book second-hand so you wouldn't have to fund her deceit.
Speaking of which Gayle didn't use the 'm' word... :P
I guess I could bring matches into the store with me....
Though seeing how the book was considered total crap by people who read it and weren't just pissed about her bashing Mass Effect, I don't think one copy sold would really do her a lot of good anyways.
My guess is her book is like the PS3. It lacks quality content, and it's done nothing but lose her money, though I doubt it's even close to the 3 billion dollars Sony's lost....
This talk of burning books does not make me comfortable
Only one pseudo-phsychological book that has been described as ignorant, biased, bigot[ted], tiresome, worthless, craptacular, and flabby arms.
For a full list, here's a link to the tags customers have given it on Amazon.
and here's the top 6... lol
ignorant
oversimplified
biased
lies
fraud
fai
"flabby arms" LOL
Perhaps I would suggest that instead the book be bought used, shredded page by page, and then tossed into a recycling bin. No new money goes to her, and you get some actual use out of the book....
Just for fun, I just Googled "Cooper Lawrence". The first two hits were her own website. The third was the GP article about her Mass Effect debacle.
I love this site.
I just want to say: what a douche. Politicians.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/
She will not say sorry to everybody and correct her "mistake", it would hurt her reputation.
I'd honestly say I think any and all damage in that way has already been done. Anyone who'd care if she was right or wrong already knows if they'd support her or not. The diffrence being if she applogised she might earn some gamers back for being honest.
Nice dodging of the "rape" comment. So did you claim it had a rape scene, or not?
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...
She brought in all on herself.
ROFL. Double talk at it finest, she should have been in book 1984.
"I know what I said, but you dont know what I meant."
or
"I was wrong but it was someone elses fault. They misquoted my exact words"
As for the rest Dennis, I would not hold out much hope of getting any helpful/useful information from that camp. Cagey that one. She is a politician to the bone.
What, no Clinton jokes (what was it she said about her comment about ariveing under sniper fire, she misspoke?) GP readers you have failed me
In other words, she's back peddling and trying to damage control. Love it how these people never seem to actually care that they are lying until they get caught.
I actually e-mailed her about it and I don't live in Connecticut (didn't tell her that). I was real polite, but I just explained to her that elected officials need to pay more attention to the voice of the people who put them in office...and when millions of people say there is no rape in a video game, odds are...there is NO RAPE in a video game.
The inherent problem with representatives (and all politicans) is that people expect them to talk about everything under the sun. But you cannot know about everything, and trying to know everything makes you lose focus and motivation. It's why civilization has specialized jobs. Clearly it's up to them to get their information from other sources and to make sure they're reliable. Most politicians, it seems, don't have the drive to look into stuff for themselves. I would too, if I were to deal with transit budgets, gun laws, voter approval, disaster plans, crime regulation, and everything else that puts me on the spot.
Parents should lie to their children about entertainment so that a new generation of fearmongerers can be born!!! Nanny state bitch.
-If shit and bricks were candy and tits, we'd all be livin' large. For information on games and psychology, look up: Jonathan Freedman(2002)Block & Crain(2007)Grand Theft Childhood, by Harvard Medical School researchers Larry Kutner and Cheryl Olson
Doesn't the Senator realize when you talk to a reporter, nothing is really off the record? That if something juicy enough comes out in an "off-the-record" chat, the reporter will probably use it anyway? Remember when Connie Chung said "Just between you and me, Mrs. Gingrich, what does your son think of Hilary Clinton?"
The Advocate story said she made the remarks at a press conference. Must have been one of those off-the-record press conferences that are all the rage these days.
She is sly as anyone else in government that pulls strings so of course she isn't going to suddenly tell the truth.
Damage control in politics?! Who would've thought?
Excellent use of double-speak, indeed.
Her answer in no way addresses the question at hand.
It's moments like this that make me ponder why people think our form of government is so grand. You would think that eventually people would catch on that having a class of people whose only job is legislating, quite often without specific knowledge about what they're legislating about, is a bad thing.
she got caught and she's trying to get out of looking very foolish. thats all.
It is like she is lying to us.
I think we have to keep the preassure in this matter. Maybe in that way others politicians will learn the lesson: stop talking sh1t about things you don´t know sh1t...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/
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