Our freedom is being taken.
by Michael Cozzolino · in General Discussion · 03/25/2004 (4:31 am) · 67 replies
Stop it before it is taken away from game makers as well.
I feel the need to post this info. Right now Howard Stern is the target. I'm a big fan.
The big question though is where will this end? Are games makers going to be fined for
what a minority is offended by. Censorship is best done by the lack of consumer interest
in my opinion. Not by government.
So I asked that you look at some of these links, sign the petition, e-mail your Senators
and vote out President Bush and the congressman and senators who go along with passing this bill.
Seeing this is an election year polititions are afraid to take a stand. Force them to.
Some Interesting articles of how freedom of speech is being taken away.
www.corante.com/importance/archives/002542.html
www.howardstern.com/Home%20Page_files/HR3717.htm
www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep241.html
Who in congress voted for this ridiculous bill
www.howardstern.com/Home%20Page_files/HR3717%20Roll.htm
Petition to sign to stop FCC from contolling our living rooms
www.stopfcc.com/
FCC address to send complaints
www.howardstern.com/FCC%20Address.htm
To contact your Senators go here and enter your zip a form letter generates
www.aclu.org/FreeSpeech/FreeSpeech.cfm?ID=15280&c=83
I feel the need to post this info. Right now Howard Stern is the target. I'm a big fan.
The big question though is where will this end? Are games makers going to be fined for
what a minority is offended by. Censorship is best done by the lack of consumer interest
in my opinion. Not by government.
So I asked that you look at some of these links, sign the petition, e-mail your Senators
and vote out President Bush and the congressman and senators who go along with passing this bill.
Seeing this is an election year polititions are afraid to take a stand. Force them to.
Some Interesting articles of how freedom of speech is being taken away.
www.corante.com/importance/archives/002542.html
www.howardstern.com/Home%20Page_files/HR3717.htm
www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep241.html
Who in congress voted for this ridiculous bill
www.howardstern.com/Home%20Page_files/HR3717%20Roll.htm
Petition to sign to stop FCC from contolling our living rooms
www.stopfcc.com/
FCC address to send complaints
www.howardstern.com/FCC%20Address.htm
To contact your Senators go here and enter your zip a form letter generates
www.aclu.org/FreeSpeech/FreeSpeech.cfm?ID=15280&c=83
About the author
Indie Developer in the Albany NY area. iOS, PC, Mac OSX development. http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/michael-cozzolino/id367780489
#22
Are you sure about that?
I'm a'thinkin' that they are not the minority.
-E
03/25/2004 (9:47 am)
>Unfortunately these people may be the minority but their voice is the majority. IAre you sure about that?
I'm a'thinkin' that they are not the minority.
-E
#23
It might not be your point, but you keep referring to it so it must have some relevance to the discussion in your opinion.
I say good. I'm a bit tired of the fourth estate (they're really better described as the first estate - what industry or group has more worldwide power than the media? NONE) and the free reign they get. I say if they want to spew obscenity, let them do it on cable where people ask for such content. That's why I don't have cable, because I don't want to have to pay for the sewage on MTV just so I can get a few news channels.
Well, let's talk a bit about "book burning," or its modern American equivalent. Many school districts have banned Huck Finn because of the use of the n-word by Sawyer. These bans have been led by liberal politically correct cultists. What's next, book burning?
As for fining the recording artist, that's a bit of a stretch. Recording artists don't make people play their songs, so let's just say I doubt this scenario will come to pass.
03/25/2004 (9:49 am)
Quote:The Clear Channel thing is not relevant to my point.
It might not be your point, but you keep referring to it so it must have some relevance to the discussion in your opinion.
Quote:My point is that The govenment is going to probably have the bill passed by next week that will charge a $500,000 fine for each instance of a person saying or doing something indecent over radio or TV. That is $500,000 for each syndicate(ie local radio station bringing you a program) as well.
I say good. I'm a bit tired of the fourth estate (they're really better described as the first estate - what industry or group has more worldwide power than the media? NONE) and the free reign they get. I say if they want to spew obscenity, let them do it on cable where people ask for such content. That's why I don't have cable, because I don't want to have to pay for the sewage on MTV just so I can get a few news channels.
Quote:This will not be a fine for the persons employer but for that 1 person. This even includes if a radio station plays a song with the word "shit" in it. They in theory could fine the recording artist. Now if this isn't government stong arming then I don't know what is. Whats next book burning?
Well, let's talk a bit about "book burning," or its modern American equivalent. Many school districts have banned Huck Finn because of the use of the n-word by Sawyer. These bans have been led by liberal politically correct cultists. What's next, book burning?
As for fining the recording artist, that's a bit of a stretch. Recording artists don't make people play their songs, so let's just say I doubt this scenario will come to pass.
#24
Now we're all paying for that. The Jackson's can go to hell.
03/25/2004 (10:16 am)
Janet and Michael have secured their positions in history. That's all that matters to them. One is a freak of nature, the other does freaky things... Which order is irrelevant.Now we're all paying for that. The Jackson's can go to hell.
#25
03/25/2004 (10:24 am)
Ok, at this point I'm unchecking that button that says "notify me" - it quit being a discussion about politics as it applies to game development, and is quickly degrading. My personal recommendation - for the portion that's not game development / game industry related, find another forum for it. The part that is related is all the belongs here.
#26
(edited after seeing Davis' post, to add this: )
How about a game called "Aryan Nation", which does the same?
03/25/2004 (10:29 am)
Question: Should a radio station be able to play a song advocating the killing of Blacks and Jews?(edited after seeing Davis' post, to add this: )
How about a game called "Aryan Nation", which does the same?
#27
It might not be your point, but you keep referring to it so it must have some relevance to the discussion in your opinion.
I say good. I'm a bit tired of the fourth estate (they're really better described as the first estate - what industry or group has more worldwide power than the media? NONE) and the free reign they get. I say if they want to spew obscenity, let them do it on cable where people ask for such content. That's why I don't have cable, because I don't want to have to pay for the sewage on MTV just so I can get a few news channels.
Well, let's talk a bit about "book burning," or its modern American equivalent. Many school districts have banned Huck Finn because of the use of the n-word by Sawyer. These bans have been led by liberal politically correct cultists. What's next, book burning?
As for fining the recording artist, that's a bit of a stretch. Recording artists don't make people play their songs, so let's just say I doubt this scenario will come to pass.
03/25/2004 (10:32 am)
Quote:The Clear Channel thing is not relevant to my point.
It might not be your point, but you keep referring to it so it must have some relevance to the discussion in your opinion.
Quote:My point is that The govenment is going to probably have the bill passed by next week that will charge a $500,000 fine for each instance of a person saying or doing something indecent over radio or TV. That is $500,000 for each syndicate(ie local radio station bringing you a program) as well.
I say good. I'm a bit tired of the fourth estate (they're really better described as the first estate - what industry or group has more worldwide power than the media? NONE) and the free reign they get. I say if they want to spew obscenity, let them do it on cable where people ask for such content. That's why I don't have cable, because I don't want to have to pay for the sewage on MTV just so I can get a few news channels.
Quote:This will not be a fine for the persons employer but for that 1 person. This even includes if a radio station plays a song with the word "shit" in it. They in theory could fine the recording artist. Now if this isn't government stong arming then I don't know what is. Whats next book burning?
Well, let's talk a bit about "book burning," or its modern American equivalent. Many school districts have banned Huck Finn because of the use of the n-word by Sawyer. These bans have been led by liberal politically correct cultists. What's next, book burning?
As for fining the recording artist, that's a bit of a stretch. Recording artists don't make people play their songs, so let's just say I doubt this scenario will come to pass.
#28
Wow, that's paranoia at its best!
There were much easier ways of getting Iraq's oil, including an outright alliance.
We didn't exactly rush into Iraq, either--it happened 1.5 years later.
03/25/2004 (10:34 am)
Osama Bin Laden was trained by the Group, and the Group hired him to destry the WTC. Wow, that's paranoia at its best!
There were much easier ways of getting Iraq's oil, including an outright alliance.
We didn't exactly rush into Iraq, either--it happened 1.5 years later.
#29
As far as me bringing up Clear Channel
It looks like you brought it up and I responded to your mention of clear channel. Not part of my original argument. I don't care that Clear Channel threw Howard off. Thats their business decision. I care about the government strong arming individuals by fining them to an extent that they cannot be heard.
Jeff Highsmith
I feel like that is a cop out. I would not let my child listen to Howard Stern until a certain age. Parents need to take some responsibility. We can't baby sit every child. Howard is on during the times most parents & children are getting ready for work and school. What easier time to monitor your kids.
Jeff Highsmith
I also doubted the time would come to pass that the State of the Union would be so focused on creating a Constitutional Ammendment to ban gay marriage. My wife and I thought we warped back to 1950.
So that is my last response to defending myself.
This is a game development site. I want this thread to go back in that direction.
If you want to add a reply please focus this to how this could effect the game industry. I don't want to have my game design compromised due to the government saying it is too offensive.
Coz
03/25/2004 (12:04 pm)
Just need to defend myself on this one. Had to respond :)As far as me bringing up Clear Channel
Quote:It might not be your point, but you keep referring to it so it must have some relevance to the discussion in your opinion.
It looks like you brought it up and I responded to your mention of clear channel. Not part of my original argument. I don't care that Clear Channel threw Howard off. Thats their business decision. I care about the government strong arming individuals by fining them to an extent that they cannot be heard.
Jeff Highsmith
Quote: If I had kids, I'd be uncomfortable with the fact that they could listen to Stern just by turning on the radio
I feel like that is a cop out. I would not let my child listen to Howard Stern until a certain age. Parents need to take some responsibility. We can't baby sit every child. Howard is on during the times most parents & children are getting ready for work and school. What easier time to monitor your kids.
Jeff Highsmith
Quote:As for fining the recording artist, that's a bit of a stretch. Recording artists don't make people play their songs, so let's just say I doubt this scenario will come to pass.
I also doubted the time would come to pass that the State of the Union would be so focused on creating a Constitutional Ammendment to ban gay marriage. My wife and I thought we warped back to 1950.
So that is my last response to defending myself.
This is a game development site. I want this thread to go back in that direction.
If you want to add a reply please focus this to how this could effect the game industry. I don't want to have my game design compromised due to the government saying it is too offensive.
Coz
#30
Personally, I find those two quotes to be gutless and idiotic. One of those quotes is by the person that started this thread.
One point I would like to make vividly clear to the assholes out there: NOBODY forced you to read this thread. NOBODY forces you to listen to Howard Stern on the Radio. Nobody forces you to look at Porn. and NOBODY forces you to play video games with controversial content.
I for one wish the government would get out of my ass, and pretend that I am educated and intelligent enough to make my own decisions.
(in a whiny bitch voice): Yeah, but they are trying to protect the kids.
No- they are using that as an excuse, like they did with Video Games. I don't know a single goddam kid that bought his own copy of GTA3. It was given to them by their brother, or aunt, or father and mother. Alcohol, tabacco and porn are illegal for minors, yet we never had a bit of trouble obtaining these in our teenage years. If the teens I know now are any indication- NOTHING has changed.
If parents were more active in paying attention to what their kids are doing, we wouldn't need stupid ass laws like these. Kids don't listen to Howard Stern unless they actually understand what the hell he's talking about. I'm 34 years old, and I have no clue what the hell he is talking about half the time (I actually had to look up "teabagging" once). Kids pay attention to what they like and what they enjoy, but that implies that they actually have a decision.
I believe in Free Will.
03/25/2004 (1:14 pm)
Quote:Personally I try to stear away from these types of posts, and I don't think that political issues normally belong on forums like these.
Quote:This is a game development site. I want this thread to go back in that direction.
Personally, I find those two quotes to be gutless and idiotic. One of those quotes is by the person that started this thread.
One point I would like to make vividly clear to the assholes out there: NOBODY forced you to read this thread. NOBODY forces you to listen to Howard Stern on the Radio. Nobody forces you to look at Porn. and NOBODY forces you to play video games with controversial content.
I for one wish the government would get out of my ass, and pretend that I am educated and intelligent enough to make my own decisions.
(in a whiny bitch voice): Yeah, but they are trying to protect the kids.
No- they are using that as an excuse, like they did with Video Games. I don't know a single goddam kid that bought his own copy of GTA3. It was given to them by their brother, or aunt, or father and mother. Alcohol, tabacco and porn are illegal for minors, yet we never had a bit of trouble obtaining these in our teenage years. If the teens I know now are any indication- NOTHING has changed.
If parents were more active in paying attention to what their kids are doing, we wouldn't need stupid ass laws like these. Kids don't listen to Howard Stern unless they actually understand what the hell he's talking about. I'm 34 years old, and I have no clue what the hell he is talking about half the time (I actually had to look up "teabagging" once). Kids pay attention to what they like and what they enjoy, but that implies that they actually have a decision.
I believe in Free Will.
#32
03/25/2004 (9:55 pm)
Perhaps if America was a democracy as opposed to a republic, freedom wouldn't be so easily taken away, but its not, so we dont get to vote on much of anything. 
#34
03/25/2004 (11:37 pm)
Yep. Davis called it right when the topic went offtrack.
#35
If you want to debate me on these issues lets take it somewhere else. We don't need to clutter up the forums with that.
03/26/2004 (3:35 am)
@ Randall how are those posts idiotic and gutless. I agree with John that it is not wise to post to political questions. However this political issue could eventually effect the game industry. That was the point. Get people fired up about this before it is too late. I refuse to get into any other discussion about political beliefs or religion in these forums. I don't feel that this is the place unless it directly is or possibly will effect the game industry. If you want to debate me on these issues lets take it somewhere else. We don't need to clutter up the forums with that.
#36
To be honest, as an outside observer, you system of leadership seems to be continuously leading your country further and further into a bad history. I'm literally waiting for it to break over. And I have every suspicion that it'll be sometime around the next election. But that's just me and my slightly paranoid opinion.
03/26/2004 (5:57 am)
(I was debating whether or not to post this, but I thought I'd better get my POV in before this thread died ;D)To be honest, as an outside observer, you system of leadership seems to be continuously leading your country further and further into a bad history. I'm literally waiting for it to break over. And I have every suspicion that it'll be sometime around the next election. But that's just me and my slightly paranoid opinion.
#37
Don't you just hate when a group whom you obviously hate with a passion exerts their own rights to speak up and say "we have had enough"?
Minority huh? I suggest you actually do research on who is the minority. If you dont want to debate these issues in public, dont bring them up in public. The fact is, you have NO data to support your claims, just hate.
Of course, we can always do what you un-moral leftists call "diversity" and only allow your point to be discussed.
So, who exactly are you hating? PRESIDENT Bush? The FCC? the "religous right freaks"? who? Do you know who you are hating? I bet I do.
03/27/2004 (9:31 pm)
Give me a break Michael. You started this to bash the "religous right" otherwise you wouldnt have brought them up at all.Don't you just hate when a group whom you obviously hate with a passion exerts their own rights to speak up and say "we have had enough"?
Minority huh? I suggest you actually do research on who is the minority. If you dont want to debate these issues in public, dont bring them up in public. The fact is, you have NO data to support your claims, just hate.
Of course, we can always do what you un-moral leftists call "diversity" and only allow your point to be discussed.
So, who exactly are you hating? PRESIDENT Bush? The FCC? the "religous right freaks"? who? Do you know who you are hating? I bet I do.
#38
LOL!
Well, it's obvious, since Pres. Bush created the FCC last year.;-)
-E
03/28/2004 (10:53 am)
>So, who exactly are you hating? PRESIDENT Bush? The FCC? the "religous right freaks"? who? Do you know who you are hating? I bet I do.LOL!
Well, it's obvious, since Pres. Bush created the FCC last year.;-)
-E
#39
I'm done with this conversation. Let it die I don't care anymore. Obviously I was wrong on how people feel. I guess I will just have to deal with it or move out of the country.
03/29/2004 (5:00 am)
Well ok I don't care anymore live in a world where everything is sickenly sweet with no artistic quality. I don't hate the religious right or Bush or the FCC I hate their views. I'm done with this conversation. Let it die I don't care anymore. Obviously I was wrong on how people feel. I guess I will just have to deal with it or move out of the country.
#40
Your mistake in this thread was tackling too much. You would have done far better to stick with the title of the thread, and not let turn it into anti-Bush spin.
Choose your battles carefully. -- Sun Tzu
As far as Bush goes:
I spar all day long with some very worthy (and some further left than Al Franken) opponents on another board. I'd don't want to do that here, because I'd rather just talk games/engines and not possibly jeapordize current or future working relationships.
Respectfully,
-Eric F
03/29/2004 (7:22 am)
Don't move, but rather take action. Your mistake in this thread was tackling too much. You would have done far better to stick with the title of the thread, and not let turn it into anti-Bush spin.
Choose your battles carefully. -- Sun Tzu
As far as Bush goes:
I spar all day long with some very worthy (and some further left than Al Franken) opponents on another board. I'd don't want to do that here, because I'd rather just talk games/engines and not possibly jeapordize current or future working relationships.
Respectfully,
-Eric F
Torque Owner John Vanderbeck
VanderGames
I'm all for this, however it sounds like they are wanting to prevent it on cable as well and thats where I have to draw my own line in the sand.