Who says online petitions are a waste of bandwidth?
Earlier this month, GamePolitics reported on a petition posted to the official internet forum of the Bundestag (the German Parliament) opposing a plan by Interior Ministers to ban video games "where the main part is to realistically play the killing of people or other cruel or un-human acts of violence against humans or manlike characters."
The petition passed 50,000 signatures about two weeks ago meaning the German government will be required to review and discuss its requests. Granted, this does not mean that the ban will ultimately be reversed, but it is a step in the right direction. The petition itself reads:
The German Bundestag should decide against the decision of the interior minister conference from the 5th of June, that aims for a ban of action computer games. As an adult citizen and a person eligible to vote, I beg you firmly;
To erase the irritating and discriminating term of 'killerspiele' [killer game] from political discussion.
To strengthen the trust of the public in existing national youth protection mechanics.
To improve and warrant the execution of existing laws, that ensure kids and the youth only get access to video games and computer games rating according the USK.
To support parents and educationally responsible persons in the advancement of media competence.
To promote the computer games and video games industry in Germany and especially the training of these promising professions.
Via: GameZine
Reporting from San Diego, GamePolitics Correspondent Andrew Eisen...
Comments
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Problem is, it won't be judged by things like 'common sense' or 'intelligence' and the other faculties than normal human beings use, because things like 'political leverage' and 'pleasing the lowest common denominator' will always come first to politicians.
So if German politicians decide that the political advantage outweighs common sense, then common sense will inevitably be ignored.
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
I'm particularly fond of the line about "media competence".
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
OMG, he's having a stroke! Someone call 911!
Won't someone think of the children!
Saying that Jack Thompson is impotent is an insult to impotent men everywhere. They've got a whole assortment of drugs that can cure their condition; Jack, however...
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
He said he's Germany's favourite writer ;)
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Who says online petitions are a waste of bandwidth?
I do. Some time ago a petition protesting a proposed internet filtering law was signed by over 130000 people. It did nothing. The law was passed a few weeks ago anyway, it's planned to go into force in August. The petitions committee announced, that it won't even hear the petition until after the elections next fall, when the law will have been in effect for months.
Getting 50000 people to sign your petition means, that you get to talk to the committee. It doesn't mean that anyone will actually listen, and it doesn't even mean you get to talk to them at a point where someone listening to you could still make a difference. These petitions are pointless. And yet I can already see our politicians on TV in September, lamenting the low voter turnout and increasing disinterest of young people in politics, all the while wondering about the reasons.
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
You're referring to the internet censorship bill. Yes, a petition opposing the bill garnered 130,000 signatures, was heard by the gov't, and still passed. But, like I said in the article: "Granted, this does not mean that the ban will ultimately be reversed, but it is a step in the right direction."
Andrew Eisen
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Great job gamers of germany, keep the pressure on your goverment.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Good job gamer citizens of germany.
Hopefully if the gamers views pass,maybe we should start trying to do almost the same thing here.
___________________________________
Butter Toast
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
I hope they look at the petition and know that gamers do not want a overall ban on violent games and decide not to. :)
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
now doesn't that feel good. It's great to see gamers rally together and give the government a lesson.
Hopefulyl germany will back down from it's Ever increasing facist game policy. I can't help but think that if we could do something similiar in the Us, with are larger number of gamers, we could have a major impact on the poltical side of things in the us. Maybe even get a law passed making it illegal to try and ban video games.
I can only hope that we take a little lesson from this as gamers. We have a voice. We need to learn to use it.
Yukimura is still here. "When he's at his best, he's little less then a man, and when he's at his worst, he's little more then a beast." W.S
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
We don't need a law that would stop people from trying to ban games. We already have something way better than that. It is called Constitutional rights to free speech granted to us by the First Ammendment to the Constitution.
What wee need are politicians willing to accept Judicial Precedence on it.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Good luck with that it seems they're only interested in it if it fits in with their ideology, which might be why we still get attempts to ban flag-burning.
I don't agree with all precedent though there's a few cases I think the courts royally screwed up on in terms of 1st amendment protections. Mainly the Bong Hits 4 Jesus case and the one that allows the FCC to still exist.
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Wow.
Well, it may have worked in Germany, but I guarantee valve still doesn't give a shit that all those entitled bratty children are signing that other petition.
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
Wow, you sure know how to miss the point of this article.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: German Government To Consider Petition Filed by Gamers
First... naw, just kidding. Good, hopefully cooler heads will prevail. Looks like video games are a fair target scape goat everywhere in the world, but at least some countries will engage its populace in open dialogue.