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Obama against video gaming
RedwoodSap
Member Posts: 1,235
Obama Campaign Theme: Video Games as Metaphor for Underachievement
Unlike rival Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama does not have a significant track record with regard to video game content issues.His speeches, however, often contain a reference to parents making their children "put away the video games." For Obama, video games seem to serve as a sort of metaphor for underachievement.
The Illinois senator repeated the theme last night in a victory speech following his big win over Clinton in the Wisconsin primary. As reported by the Washington Post, which carried a transcript and video of the speech, Obama said:
I know how hard it will be to alleviate poverty that has built up over centuries, how hard it will be to fix schools, because changing our schools will require not just money, but a change in attitudes.A day earlier, speaking to a college crowd in Youngstown, Ohio, Obama made similar remarks. The Youngstown Vindicator reports:
We're going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children, and that's going to take some time.
[Obama called for] investments in early childhood education to close the achievement gap, but with an added emphasis on poetry, music and art, not just academics. Obama admonished parents to do their part by turning off the television, putting away the video games, and instilling in their children a desire to get a good education.
EDITORIAL: Obama, Too, Plays the Video Game Blame Game
There is a subtle yet virulent strain of video game bashing that runs through the non-gaming mainstream, day-in and day-out. And it simply drives GP crazy.
It takes many forms, but its bottom line message is always the same: games are bad, games are a waste, games are a drain on society. The latest politician to push this line is U.S. Senator Barack Obama, (D-IL). As reported by the Barrington Courier-Review
, Obama spoke at Barrington High School last week.
While addressing students about their future, Obama said he would try to reduce the deficit, improve healthcare, advance the economy and move away from dependence on fossil fuels. So far, so good. But then, needing a cultural whipping-boy to invoke, Obama trotted out video games:
"The bad news is you're going to have to work harder," Obama told the assembled students, criticizing youth culture as "watching TV, playing video games and avoiding tough classes in school."
Obama also expressed concern for American students' collective low scores in math and the sciences.
GP: We have no problem with Obama's setting high goals for young people. But why blame video games? How about talking about some real problems, instead of this red herring?
Sure, there are many problems and challenges facing the United States right now. Most of them were either created by or exacerbated by our elected officials. As such, those issues are uncomfortable for elected officials. So Barack Obama blames video games. And he's far from the only one.
As for low scores in math and science, is that a problem in Japan? No. Korea? No. Are video games huge in those places? Yes.
Please, Senator Obama. Stick to the real issues and don't perpetuate the unfair characterization video games as some sort of cultural drain on American society.
Comments
What's your point?
And he also says to turn the television off -- how does this turn into an anti-videogame argument exclusively? The fact is, he is a proponent of education for people to better themselves. And guess what? The time to study has to come from somewhere....
The point is that other countries like Japan and Korea have no problem scoring extremely high but they also play tons video games.
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
I'm not at all an Obama supporter, but I don't think for a moment he is "against video gaming". He is simply saying to take a break. Games, as with many other things, have ruined productivity and health. He's just saying to get up and do something - learn something. The Millennial generation is becoming increasingly lazy and uncaring of anything other than what pleases them or is good for them.
Now, I need to go make myself throw up for defending Obama. I have an acidic taste in my mouth.
Gaming is a great thing.
Games such as WoW can make people stupid.
But you have communities, guilds and other societies with their own cultures flourishing online. You also have somewhat shy individuals that are able to socialize online in game. It is also a great opportunity for people to take a break from a long day at work or school.
i cant argue with what obama has said.
i wonder how obama will handle the special interests group that is the UFT.
oh wait, obama has said he doesnt deal with special interests? so wheres the deal with obama and the UFT? there is a deal right? they will endorse him and the union surely wont be squeezed to work harder or longer days with extra classes...
im confused. is obama talking out his ass with this special interest, washington lobby, same ole, same old thing he refers to during his camapign?
surely concessions will be made by obama and special interests, such as the UFT...right? so is obama lying?
he must be lying, cause even i know how unions and backroom deals are made.
therefore- obama is a liar
and
Direct TV hates puppies.
-I will subtlety invade your psyche-
The difference is they are much smarter than us and are able to balance education with gaming. They don't have museums in Tokyo claiming the Earth is only 6000 years old.The point is that other countries like Japan and Korea have no problem scoring extremely high but they also play tons video games.
www.creationmuseum.org/about
Obama's not arguing against video games. He's arguing against morons who would rather play than learn.
The most important part of reading is reading between the lines.
All hes saying is that it's not good to have your kids play PC games all day. I did and I probably missed out on a lot in HS. I mean who you are who you are but when I look at my youngest brother, hes 11, and can play Guitar Hero 3 on Expert I;'m thinking, " He really, really needs a new hobby..."
I would hope the president of the United States would set an example of "get off your ass and do something."
doesnt the president of the united states, by job title alone, illustrate the 'get off your ass and do something' you refer to?
or are you the crowd that thinks government needs to govern our children?
parents should be pointing at the pres. of US and say, look, see what he has accomplished? now put down the six-axis and pick up a fucking book before I belt you in the ass so hard you wont be sitting for a week.
-I will subtlety invade your psyche-
I couldn't agree with you more.
The difference is they are much smarter than us and are able to balance education with gaming. They don't have museums in Tokyo claiming the Earth is only 6000 years old.The point is that other countries like Japan and Korea have no problem scoring extremely high but they also play tons video games.
www.creationmuseum.org/about
Obama's not arguing against video games. He's arguing against morons who would rather play than learn.
first of all I am surprised that I didn't get a long post that was copied from Bill Maher from you.Secondly they are not smarter than us. We have the top universities in the world in this country. We are capable of being the most well educated individuals in the entire world. Plenty of the other countries send their best and brightest to America to get educated. There is a reason for that.
The problem is not video games. Just as it wasn't D&D before Video Games. It wasn't Rock & Roll before that. The problem is our education system. It is broken. It is completely and utterly broken. They no longer want to fail people because the liberals think it would "hurt the kid's feelings". Give me a break. When I went to school if you didn't do your work you got an F. Now a days you get all the time in the world to try and complete it and if you still aren't completing it then they try and blame something else. FAIL these kids and kick them in the ass to do better. Next tie a higher grade point average with sports and don't allow schools to pass atheletes just because they can play a sport. FAIL them too. When I was a kid we learned from our failures. Now a days you get all of this whiney "oh we don't want to hurt their self esteem" crap from the liberals. When I was a kid if you weren't good at baseball you didn't play little league. The coach would kick you off of the team. Oh today there would be an uproar. It is getting ridiculous. These liberal parents today that want to be their kid's "friend" or don't want to hurt their self esteem, or want them to just be kids (which for some reason means they can't have rules and are able to do what ever they want) is what is wrong with the country today.
They need to make a move back in the correct direction. They need to make the education system harder again and fail students that do not do well in school. They need to have standards across the board that are equal and stop making excuses. And they need to stop teaching to the average. Is that what we want in this country a bunch of average people?
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
EDITORIAL: Obama, Too, Plays the Video Game Blame Game
It takes many forms, but its bottom line message is always the same: games are bad, games are a waste, games are a drain on society. The latest politician to push this line is U.S. Senator Barack Obama, (D-IL). As reported by the Barrington Courier-Review
While addressing students about their future, Obama said he would try to reduce the deficit, improve healthcare, advance the economy and move away from dependence on fossil fuels. So far, so good. But then, needing a cultural whipping-boy to invoke, Obama trotted out video games:
"The bad news is you're going to have to work harder," Obama told the assembled students, criticizing youth culture as "watching TV, playing video games and avoiding tough classes in school."
Obama also expressed concern for American students' collective low scores in math and the sciences.
GP: We have no problem with Obama's setting high goals for young people. But why blame video games? How about talking about some real problems, instead of this red herring?
Sure, there are many problems and challenges facing the United States right now. Most of them were either created by or exacerbated by our elected officials. As such, those issues are uncomfortable for elected officials. So Barack Obama blames video games. And he's far from the only one.
As for low scores in math and science, is that a problem in Japan? No. Korea? No. Are video games huge in those places? Yes.
Please, Senator Obama. Stick to the real issues and don't perpetuate the unfair characterization video games as some sort of cultural drain on American society.
You sound desperate and pathetic ,seriously listen to yourself. Are you trying to convince yourself or the gamers on these forums that Obama is wrong for america because of his reference towards vedio games?
Stop hiding behind his comments and just admit you dont want a black man ruling your counrty. You dont like blacks and especially one who you think is getting above their own station. You must really be pissed off at the moment and cant understand why people don`t agree with your hate towards black people...poor you lol.
Where do you get that he doesn't like black people from this post?
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
the problem with america is majority of the people dont want to do shyte. you have a low percentage of people who want to learn and it just happens to be a lot of people so we can have good universities and such forth but for the most part we dont give 2 spits about school. as for in japan they want to do good in school because they will kill themselves if they don't. yeah id like to see a american with that kind of dedication you wont find it least not my dealing with my peeps.
I have to kinda agree. I'll sit on my ass and play video games and get the illusion that I'm accomplishing something, but in the end I might have gotten more done if I masturbated instead.
The difference is they are much smarter than us and are able to balance education with gaming. They don't have museums in Tokyo claiming the Earth is only 6000 years old.The point is that other countries like Japan and Korea have no problem scoring extremely high but they also play tons video games.
www.creationmuseum.org/about
Obama's not arguing against video games. He's arguing against morons who would rather play than learn.
first of all I am surprised that I didn't get a long post that was copied from Bill Maher from you.Secondly they are not smarter than us. We have the top universities in the world in this country. We are capable of being the most well educated individuals in the entire world. Plenty of the other countries send their best and brightest to America to get educated. There is a reason for that.
The problem is not video games. Just as it wasn't D&D before Video Games. It wasn't Rock & Roll before that. The problem is our education system. It is broken. It is completely and utterly broken. They no longer want to fail people because the liberals think it would "hurt the kid's feelings". Give me a break. When I went to school if you didn't do your work you got an F. Now a days you get all the time in the world to try and complete it and if you still aren't completing it then they try and blame something else. FAIL these kids and kick them in the ass to do better. Next tie a higher grade point average with sports and don't allow schools to pass atheletes just because they can play a sport. FAIL them too. When I was a kid we learned from our failures. Now a days you get all of this whiney "oh we don't want to hurt their self esteem" crap from the liberals. When I was a kid if you weren't good at baseball you didn't play little league. The coach would kick you off of the team. Oh today there would be an uproar. It is getting ridiculous. These liberal parents today that want to be their kid's "friend" or don't want to hurt their self esteem, or want them to just be kids (which for some reason means they can't have rules and are able to do what ever they want) is what is wrong with the country today.
They need to make a move back in the correct direction. They need to make the education system harder again and fail students that do not do well in school. They need to have standards across the board that are equal and stop making excuses. And they need to stop teaching to the average. Is that what we want in this country a bunch of average people?
Yep, it's all the evil liberals fault! Bush has proven that conservatives are definitely leading the way to outstanding educational reform with amazing programs like No Child Left Behind.
Did I ever say that Bush was a conservative? Neocon does not equal Conservative.
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
Cabe is most certainly right about that. Bush is no more conservative then a Atlanta Pimp
Not to say Bush is a Pimp... Well not to say he isnt.. Hrmm I need to consider my line of thought
Honestly though our country is one which has to face its mediocrity. While its true we have exceptionally intelligent people, as a whole there are MANY more unskilled and uneducated individuals. When I went to Asia I was astounded that the most uneducated fisherman had more education then the standard highschool kid where Im from. These men and woman only had a elementary school education for pete sake!
I'm not saying the people as a whole dont have merit. The expectations of the people need to be raised up. We cant simply peddle the idea that a house, two cars, food and enough toys to keep you happy is enough.
Where are the greater goals? We are sitting on enough resources and technology now that if as a whole we worked together we could achieve nearly anything.
The system as a whole will degrade us, unless we fix ourselves.
Mind you this is coming from a uneducated individual.
The difference is they are much smarter than us and are able to balance education with gaming. They don't have museums in Tokyo claiming the Earth is only 6000 years old.The point is that other countries like Japan and Korea have no problem scoring extremely high but they also play tons video games.
www.creationmuseum.org/about
Obama's not arguing against video games. He's arguing against morons who would rather play than learn.
first of all I am surprised that I didn't get a long post that was copied from Bill Maher from you.Secondly they are not smarter than us. We have the top universities in the world in this country. We are capable of being the most well educated individuals in the entire world. Plenty of the other countries send their best and brightest to America to get educated. There is a reason for that.
The problem is not video games. Just as it wasn't D&D before Video Games. It wasn't Rock & Roll before that. The problem is our education system. It is broken. It is completely and utterly broken. They no longer want to fail people because the liberals think it would "hurt the kid's feelings". Give me a break. When I went to school if you didn't do your work you got an F. Now a days you get all the time in the world to try and complete it and if you still aren't completing it then they try and blame something else. FAIL these kids and kick them in the ass to do better. Next tie a higher grade point average with sports and don't allow schools to pass atheletes just because they can play a sport. FAIL them too. When I was a kid we learned from our failures. Now a days you get all of this whiney "oh we don't want to hurt their self esteem" crap from the liberals. When I was a kid if you weren't good at baseball you didn't play little league. The coach would kick you off of the team. Oh today there would be an uproar. It is getting ridiculous. These liberal parents today that want to be their kid's "friend" or don't want to hurt their self esteem, or want them to just be kids (which for some reason means they can't have rules and are able to do what ever they want) is what is wrong with the country today.
They need to make a move back in the correct direction. They need to make the education system harder again and fail students that do not do well in school. They need to have standards across the board that are equal and stop making excuses. And they need to stop teaching to the average. Is that what we want in this country a bunch of average people?
Totally agree.
Im still gonna vote for him. Of course, they could find a dead hooker in his trunk and I'd still probably vote for him before I gave my vote to John McCain.
Obama is criticizing parenting styles or unwise choices, not forms of entertainment.
H'es black! Dont vote for him!
No seriously, hillary is a bitch... thank god hes the nominee
Obama is the status quo of this country. When was the last time our country elected an experienced old guy? When was the last time our country elected a charismatic man who said they were gonna change/reform things? Do you really wanna elect Bush II. Cause thats what you get with Obama. Democrats right now are nothing but special interest. They recieve 3 times as much dirty money as other members. The Democrat Congress has also achieved jack squat except for laying blame on others.
So ofcourse I am not voting for Obama. You have to remember, there is a difference in who the candidate is when they are running for office. He wants to change things but does he ever say what? What he does say are practically turtle in its shell type things. He wants to turn our governement into a more socialist state, which as rescent history shows deosn't work. He wants to return all our troops home effectively stopping military spending. That military spending though has been the primary source of our nations technology. He also has rascists all around his campaign like his own wife and his reverend. So why would you vote for Obama?
It's funny how Obama talks about change when he is the quintessential politician. His decisions are all calculated and he goes where the wind blows. Sure there will be change from the current administration.
Increased taxes, more poorly run government social programs, appeasement to our enemies and an isolationist mentality;
How many Democrats are angry with Obama's stances and voting record? They love him because he follows the party doctrine. No change there at all.
McCain on the other hand is disliked by many Republicans because he is all about change. He doesn't vote the party line and reaches across the isle to accomplish things. What a concept? That's real change.
This thread is an utter failure to turn gamers against Obama by skewing quotes with a misleading title.
Nowhere in any quote you posted did he say he wanted to ban/regulate, or have any effect on video games. It was an example to go along with TV to support his love for education.
Your thread simply proves he cares about kids learning, not that he wants to remove our rights to play violent games.
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