8th April 2008, 6:52 AM
Quote:SIDEBAR: The GameSpot News Blog
Stephen King blasts anti-game bill
Just as an injunction against HB1423 was upheld in Minneapolis last month, legislators in Massachusetts have been reported to be reexamining the "games as porn" bill, which would introduce a law that would fine underage video game buyers.
There were many voices of disappointment and dissent, and the latest involves one of the more controversial presences in the literary world. In a column for Entertainment Weekly titled "Videogame Lunacy," popular horror writer Stephen King has publicly decried the bill.
The author of titles including Misery, Insomnia, The Green Mile, and Carrie said, "What really makes me insane is how eager politicians are to use the pop culture--not just video games but TV, movies, even Harry Potter--as a whipping boy. It's easy for them, even sort of fun, because the pop-cult always hollers nice and loud. Also, it allows legislators to ignore the elephants in the living room."
He added, "If HB1423 becomes law, will it remain law? Doubtful. Similar legislation has been declared unconstitutional in several states. Could Massachusetts legislators find better ways to watch out for the kiddies? Man, I sure hope so, because there's a lot more to America's culture of violence than Resident Evil 4."
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