If you want to debate the criminally stupid Video Game bill, you need to read Throwing the Book At Video Games by Professor Reynolds. Glenn makes a number of great points including the main thrust of the article, which is that we would not even consider a rating system for books in this country, why will this game ban pass with overwhelming support?

Constitutionally it’s a dumb idea because videogames are speech, every bit as much as, say, books. Members of Congress would never introduce legislation to criminalize the sale of violent-themed books, though, because they understand that. In our society, book-banning just isn’t done.

This is an argument that has escaped me and is very compelling. he even finds a wonderfully appropriate quote from Judge Richard Posner from the opinion in AAMA v. Kendrick (though, to be fair that is what lawyers do).

“People are unlikely to become well- functioning, independent-minded adults and responsible citizens if they are raised in an intellectual bubble. No doubt the City would concede this point if the question were whether to forbid children to read without the presence of an adult the Odyssey, with its graphic descriptions of Odysseus's grinding out the eye of Polyphemus with a heated, sharpened stake, killing the suitors, and hanging the treacherous maidservants; or The Divine Comedy with its graphic descriptions of the tortures of the damned… To shield children right up to the age of 18 from exposure to violent descriptions and images would not only be quixotic, but deforming; it would leave them unequipped to cope with the world as we know it.”

Dam, that's good stuff!

I am feeling more optimistic today about this topic, with the considerable weight that Instapundit brings to the table we might be able to beat this thing. Thanks Glenn! At least this industry little guy thanks you.

Now all we need is to mobilize the big fish in the industry.