# It takes a village, the FTC, and a busybody senator to raise a child **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 15, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620 "2005-07-15T05:18:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/1 "2005-07-15T05:18:32Z")
Hillary Clinton is in the news again, seeking [Federal Trade Commission](http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-07-14-clinton-game_x.htm?csp=15) intervention regarding “violent” video games. > [@](#): > > Even before her election to the Senate, Clinton spoke out against the amount of sexual and violent content available to children. I guess we should restrict the daily newspaper to adults, huh? ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/2 "2005-07-15T05:36:09Z")
Anybody else smell a presidental bid? ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/3 "2005-07-15T05:39:20Z")
No. It is still too soon. She will wait untill she becomes more of a senior senator, or is appointed to the cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/4 "2005-07-15T05:47:39Z")
> [@Muad'Dib](#): > > No. It is still too soon. She will wait untill she becomes more of a senior senator, or is appointed to the cabinet. No, she’s running now. First of all, she’s denying it, which is a surefire sign. 😉 Second of all, in 2012 she could face a Republican incumbent or have to wait four MORE years if a Democrat wins - and even then there could be a VP in the way and so on. She’ll be 60 years old during 2008 campaign time and this is her Best chance. > [@danceswithcats](#): > > I guess we should restrict the daily newspaper to adults, huh? Adults don’t read newspapers anymore. On the other hand, kids do play videogames. Apparently there are no votes to be gained in speaking for government non-interference, responsible parenting, or the rights of kids, since the dumb little fuckers are too young to vote. So Hillary goes this route, which I’d like to dub The Helen Lovejoy Expressway, for the easy votes. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/5 "2005-07-15T05:48:37Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Anybody else smell a presidental bid? What I smell isn’t a presidential bid. It smells more like ass. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/6 "2005-07-15T05:52:32Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > What I smell isn’t a presidential bid. It smells more like ass. Yes, the ass she’s giving out on every political streetcorner to lay the groundwork for her Presidential ambitions. I think this analogy makes Howard Dean a pimp… ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/7 "2005-07-15T05:52:52Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Adults don’t read newspapers anymore. On the other hand, kids do play videogames. Sorry, but this adult still reads the rag, and doesn’t think it’s anyone else’s responsibility for what my child hears, reads, or watches other than mine. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/8 "2005-07-15T05:54:29Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Sorry, but this adult still reads the rag, and doesn’t think it’s anyone else’s responsibility for what my child hears, reads, or watches other than mine. I’m being facetious; I’m a newspaper reporter. And readership actually is down. I don’t disagree with any of your points and the whole phenomenon irritates me. ---
**Author:** ![Atticus\_Finch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Atticus\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atticus_Finch)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/9 "2005-07-15T05:57:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > So Hillary goes this route, which I’d like to dub The Helen Lovejoy Expressway, for the easy votes. Standing ovation for that one, **Marley** - “The Helen Lovejoy Expressway”. Hope to make this a SDMB staple… ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/10 "2005-07-15T05:59:09Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m being facetious; I’m a newspaper reporter. And readership actually is down. I don’t disagree with any of your points and the whole phenomenon irritates me. Thanks for the claification. I’m a strong supporter of print news, and not the news bite papers, either. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/11 "2005-07-15T06:18:48Z")
Excuse me if I yawn. _Yawn_ Now then. It appears that Senator Clinton has, "asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate the origins of a downloadable modification that allows simulated sex in the personal computer version of one of the most popular and controversial video games in history. > [@](#): > > “We should all be deeply disturbed[sup]1[/sup] that a game which now permits the simulation of lewd sexual acts in an interactive format with highly realistic graphics has fallen into the hands of young people across the country,” Clinton wrote in a letter to the head of the Federal Trade Commission." So what’s the Senator’s solution? > [@](#): > > "Clinton also said she was introducing legislation that would crack down on the sale of violent and sex-laden games to minors. > > The legislation would impose a $5,000 penalty on retailers who sell adult-rated video games to underage children." Sorry, I just can’t get too -er- excited about threats to restrict virtual sex games to adults. Also, I don’t see any evidence that proposed legislation would stop parents from giving kids whatever games they chose, anyway. Johnny just wouldn’t be able to purchase Grand Theft Porno himself. [http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2005-07-14T200122Z\_01\_N14436176\_RTRIDST\_0\_TECH-MEDIA-VIDEOGAME-DC.XML](http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2005-07-14T200122Z_01_N14436176_RTRIDST_0_TECH-MEDIA-VIDEOGAME-DC.XML) [sup]1[/sup]I should confess that my disturbance is less than deep. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/12 "2005-07-15T08:00:55Z")
And it’s not like the kids aren’t going to be able to download the adult version of the game via emule, Kazaa, Limewire, or any of the other P2P networks out there. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/13 "2005-07-15T11:58:25Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > What I smell isn’t a presidential bid. It smells more like ass. I’ll probably vote for Hillary, and I agree that this does indeed smell like ass. I hate it when the person I’m gonna vote for takes a position against one of my “pet causes.” Stupid two party system. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/14 "2005-07-15T13:00:26Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > I’ll probably vote for Hillary, and I agree that this does indeed smell like ass. I hate it when the person I’m gonna vote for takes a position against one of my “pet causes.” Stupid two party system. Yeah, I’m pretty much in the same boat as you. I’m sure I’ll still be closer to H. Clinton’s positions on most issues than the Republican party, if history is any indication. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/15 "2005-07-15T13:51:01Z")
Cross your fingers. Maybe she won’t make it past the primaries. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/16 "2005-07-15T14:06:59Z")
If Clinton gets the nod, there is no way I’ll vote for her. I might vote for the Republican nominee, depending on who it is. Otherwise, I shall leave it blank or once again vote for a third party. And this video game stuff is pure bullshit. Last I checked, kids generally don’t have a lot of money, meaning mommy and daddy are the ones buying this stuff–both the console and the game. If the kid does have enough money to buy the game, well then he’s probably old enough to play something like GTA (though I have never seen the appeal in it myself.) If you’re buying video games for a young kid, get them a Gamecube. (I like Nintendo’s type of games and don’t have a problem with the lack of Halo or GTA or so on for the Gamecube.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/17 "2005-07-15T14:30:58Z")
The real funny thing is that the modification is for PC only, not the console. As I see it, most people who have the game have the console version. Of all those with the PC version, how many go to the trouble of modding their games? This is not something a naive child is likely to do. It’s just another easy target for rhetoric and the illusion that SOMETHING IS BEING DONE. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/18 "2005-07-15T14:38:26Z")
Wonder how this thread would have gone had it been Bill Frist who instigated the investigation? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/19 "2005-07-15T15:22:27Z")
Probably, nearly every response would have been vehement disagreement. Oh, wait . . . ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620/20 "2005-07-15T15:29:01Z")
GTA San Andreas is the hot button issue? Give me a damn break! Aren’t there more important things to worry about? Besides that, don’t we already have enough nanny government “for our own good”? I call bullshit on it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-takes-a-village-the-ftc-and-a-busybody-senator-to-raise-a-child/312620.md?page=2)