GoldbergBlog

Who Do We Blame For Cheap Political Points?

In the wake of yesterday’s tragic massacre at Virginia Tech, the vultures have already begun circling. Like flies to shit, people with their own agenda will find a way to twist a tragedy in order to further their own beliefs. Of course the gold medal goes to Jerry Falwell who blamed 9/11 on pagans, feminists, the ACLU, and pretty much anyone else he didn’t like. But anti-videogame advocate Jack Thompson and “straight-talker” Dr. Phil are running to a close second after blaming the shootings on violent videogames.

When Thompson went on FoxNews, he postulated that when investigators found out who was responsible (remember, he made this comment less than six hours after the second shooting), they would find violent videogames. Of course, I postulate that whenever there’s an opportunity to exploit a tragedy and get his name out there, you will find Jack Thompson. He’s an utter shit without class and anyone who’s had the misfortune of following his exploits knows this already.

More surprising (or less, depending on how you look at it) is Dr. Phil chiming in on Larry King Live last night, saying that when you mix videogames and crazy, it’s a recipe for disaster.

Let me just clarify that in times like these, where the insanity of the situation is so overwhelming, it’s understandable to attempt to make sense of the horror in order to better cope. Let me also say that videogamers don’t need anyone rushing to their defense. They enjoy a hobby that rakes in billions of dollars and no one, not Jack Thompson, not Dr. Phil, not anyone, is going to take that away from them.

Comments like those made by Thompson and Phil are not only in poor taste, they’re ill-informed. We don’t even know the name of this kid. We don’t know his motives, his history, his life, or even if he was the only one involved. Times such at these are times for solace, mourning, and reflection. They are not times for douche-nozzles such as these to broadcast their ignorance.

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