And the Wheel of Blame Lands On… Video Games?
Posted by MichaelGroff on December 19, 2012 | Filed under Podcasts
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In the race to find a rational explanation to a completely irrational situation the usual pundits have provided today’s reasoning behind Adam Lanza’s murderous rampage. It would seem that “violent video games” are to blame for Lanza’s attack on Sandy Hook Elementary School last week in which 26 people were killed. According to reports, Lanza played popular titles that included Call of Duty, a game in which simulated military scenarios are played out.
This isn’t the first time that the $78 billion per year gaming industry has been the scapegoat for real world violence. Columbine, Virginia Tech and Aurora, Colorado shooting sprees were all linked to gaming at some point by the various talking heads across the country. In this particular case, however, congress is apparently looking for answers, Senator John Rockefeller stated Tuesday that an extensive study into the effects of video games on our culture needs to be conducted. Someone should tell Mr. Rockefeller that it’s been done and the research largely debunked.
The Entertainment Industry Also Responds
Hollywood has been relatively low key since the Sandy Hook tragedy took place, but some TV Networks have postponed or cancelled certain programs for the time being. The SyFy Channel has postponed an episode of “Haven” that depicted violence in a high school setting, while TLC cancelled a show called “Best Funeral Ever”. The Discovery Channel nixed the third season of “American Guns”. The outpouring of political correctness even extended to the radio dial where some stations have stopped playing Ke$ha’s hit single “Die Young”, a song that has nothing to do with school violence or tragedy whatsoever.
Also on This Episode
– The “Fiscal Cliff” is back in the news and with the deadline approaching House Republicans and President Obama appear to be a bit closer to a compromise, but it is unlikely that legislation will be passed before the New Year.
– Fast Food Rage: After an incident at a McDonalds drive through, a 35 year old man storms inside, demands his money back, assaults a cashier, throws a high chair and breaks a cordless phone… all because they accidentally put cheese on his hamburger.
– Dutch skydiver plummets to his death and nobody notices or cares.
September 5, 2015 at 2:02 am
The kid who killed those children and staff members at the Sandy Hook Elementary School had a history of mental illness. That day was horrific.
So very sad and was hard to wrap my brain around it at that time.
That church you mention needs a ward at the local mental institution.
Yay, for Anonymous..I agree with you on that. Hells Angels hmm not so sure, but thanks for keeping that nut job of a church away.
There is no way that Video Games had anything to do with his illness and him walking into a school and fire away at innocent people.
The Rating system Games =
eC Early Childhood
E Everyone
E 10+ Everyone 10 and up
T Teen
M Mature
Ao Adults Only
RP Rating Pending
The 35 year old man that went nuts in McDonald’s needs a straight jacket.
That poor Skydiver :( How Horrible.
I’m afraid of heights too! Hugs <3
People just need to leave the guns and video games alone.
You and your passion are awesome ;)