Politics All Around

Tonight will be my first watch on the presidential debate (Debate number 2 tonight). I was advised to watch CNN, it’s the most neutral of sides as far as people are knowledgeable. If you’ve been keeping up with my recent rant, you already know where I stand with Fox.

I begin to think what is truth? How can we know for sure what the presidential candidates say are true or not? This, you will have to define for yourself. If you think what they both say is true, then that’s what you’ll live for, but I say research for yourself. The internet is filled with information overflow. Perhaps too much, even some to the point of it being untrue. So, be smart about it. This is where intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, and experience come in play. For me, I don’t have any of those when it comes to politics, but I’m willing to listen to any side that’s willing to tell me the truth.

If I were to put myself in someone’s shoes, I would say I’m one of the undecided voters. I’m very undecided on things, I’d rather sit back and listen to get the knowledge of both sides, but what if I were to put in a position to choose? That’s when I started thinking, I should learn a little.

I got to talk with a co-worker, and he’s pretty sure of who he’s going to vote for, but we started talking about religion in politics. I’m a Christian, but it doesn’t mean I’m a Republican. The fact that Republican has taken the stance of religion just makes it as though the Democrat doesn’t care about religion. I can’t see that being entirely true. If I were to be a Democrat, would I be seen as not-religious or to betray my religion? Well, regardless, my religion is a separate matter. Why does something such as pro-life/pro-choice or gay marriage/not be separated once again between the R(epublican) or D(emocrat)? What about death penalty? I did a little research and found that most death penalties were executed in the red states. Red states are Republicans and if I were to say where the religion is at, I don’t believe (as a Christian) that we should kill. Where’s the logic at? I people deserve to be killed for what they did, then people should be allowed to choose for what they did. Here’s what I thought of the choice of word… why Pro-choice and Pro-life?

Politics doesn’t only live in America. It seems the smart ones know what they want, but are they being heard?

So, the next time you say you are voting for McCain or Obama, I would like you to think why and not only because you’ve heard from other people, or from the news (especially only from one channel), but you’ve also done some research and know what each presidential candidate stands for.

In all honesty, I would rather be playing LittleBigPlanet now.

I Write: Me, Violence, Video Games, and Media

If you aren’t aware already, this is going to be perhaps the longest post I will ever write, and if that statement is false, then I will say this is the longest post I have written. Gaming is a subject that I enjoy talking about and as a gamer, I tend to take the point-of-view of a gamer. In this long entry, I will do my best to be fair to both sides. I believe I am capable of doing that and I will be straight forward about it. I will also be blatant about myself specifically because I am passionate about gaming and I will put myself out there to be tested, that’s for sure ^_^ So, be aware that this is a long and tedious writing and I won’t say this is perhaps all well thought out and written well, but I will put my heart into it and defend my fellow gamers. Also, I would like to state that I am not going with facts or statistics. I think we pick our statistics to coincide with our point-of-view. I will write this base solely on experience, discussions with other people, readings, and anything else I’ve learned.

Violent video games make gamers violent. This is not a proven fact (at least not in my book). Many gamers would know who Jack Thompson is, he’s an attorney (I believe) who says many active shooters in schools or anywhere else are influenced by violent video games and also the fact that violent games make someone violent. I will show videos from youtube, and to be blatant about this, it’s a point-at-something excuse for something that’s gone terribly wrong.

I grew up a gamer, I have played games all my life, starting with the original Game Boy and Atari to the now advanced Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, and DS Lite. I even remember when games were on computer and were text base, yes I played those games as well. Till this day, I find Tetris to be the most innovative addictive game for me, so don’t you dare say I don’t appreciate arcade games.

Living in America, I have come across many gamers such as myself, and a lot of us tend to defend one another, but what happens when a gamer’s gone loony. By the way, I will use sarcasm, silly words, and just words that people don’t usually write in a paper. I will say, this is an entry of an essay proportion. Maybe one day I’ll write a book about this and be famous for it? Or maybe I’ll just stay a blogger (and gamer) and only known for writing these kinds of entries. Back to the subject, more specifically speaking, what happens when an active shooter is said to be that way because of violent video games? Thus, back to my starting point, violent games makes gamers violent.

Remember I said I grew up playing games all my life. I’m a 80’s kid, mid-80’s to be precise and I have seen many violent games; in fact, I have played many violent games. I played Double-Dragon, Street Fighter, Mortal Combat, King of Fighters, Soul Calibur. My first violent game was Mario to be honest. Jumping on mushrooms (thus squishing them to death) and flying tortoises, getting a big spiky tortoise into the hot lava to get to the princess, I believe those are violent right? I mean, what happens when I throw someone down an active volcano? Doh, we all know what happens. It’s common sense. So, here’s where I’d like to lead into… common sense.

I believe playing games is the main reason I have great common sense. I learn how to navigate through different scenarios, I learn how to use controllers that aren’t simple. You need to know how to slide and when to press buttons to make Goku or Gohan shoot a Kame-hame-ha. You need to know when to block or parry in Soul Calibur to survive a beating (I fail to parry 99% of the time, you can tell I’m not good with this game). You’ve got to know the secrets to every character in Street Fighter so when you play them, you’re ready to counter any attacks they might come at you. I learned logic, I learned common sense, and I learned how to have fun. Here’s what games didn’t teach me or make me… a violent person or an active shooter. I play FPS (First Person Shooter for those not in the lingo) too such as Quake 2 (My first FPS game), Call of Duty 4, Team Fortress, Counter-Strike (Seem to be a very controversial game).

I’ll put myself out there. This is of course for those of you who knows me personally or have met me. I will put myself to the test and you can try to ask everyone that knows me and I will guarantee those that remember me will say it’s true. “I am perhaps one of the nicest, most caring, kind person there is. I smile a lot and laugh a lot and I like to have fun. I respect elders and I love food (the food thing, it really doesn’t have anything to do with niceness, but it’s always fun to have something extra that’s different right).” But before I go further, I will say this, I had a time in my life that I was angry, and even then, I was not outwardly angry at specific persons. It was when I was 15 or 16 years old, when I first came to America. I was still nice, but I had bursts of anger problem. Now, I will say, I had a rough time during that time of life (a personal family matter), I had the whole age thing coming to me, and it is the time when I did not have any computer games or video games. I have left every game in Malaysia and I came to a place with nothing to play. If anything, this proves that violent video games have the opposite effect on me. Video games get me to get my frustration out in a deeper level than just yell and scream and throw punches or kicks.

It might be just me, or maybe my family had some things to do with it. I mean, it could be my culture, my grandma, mom, and aunt taught me well. I knew the fake world from the real world (not the tv show on MTV mind you) and I know that hurting people is bad. So, let’s go to a video, I need a break at this moment.

Sweet, so you have seen the video right? Cause I will start talking about this video now. So, here goes…

Counter Strike… I played it back in 2004, maybe 2005. I stopped about two years ago. Here’s what I learned about Counter Strike. There are two sides. Let’s make it good and bad, so it’s easier to show. Each levels have a purpose, the good have 2 objectives, defend the bombing area or disarm the bomb when it’s been armed, and the other objective is to save as many people from a room as possible. The bad side is to arm a bomb and have it explode or not to let the good guys save people from a room. Just to summarize it. Also, I’d like to ask soldiers in particular, if you’re a soldier and you so happen to be reading this, can you tell me if Jack Thompson is telling the truth? Can you do something this well, “killing people with efficiently cool and calmly after being immerse with such a game”? I don’t think you can, not from playing games to train you. If that’s true, please do tell me, cause I’m curious, and if this is a private matter within the military and no one should know this information, then Jack Thompson shouldn’t have these information too right? I will agree with some things that Jack Thompson said… “Shooting is bad.” … wait, did he say that? I don’t know, but I think maybe if you see this interview with the suite mate, you might know Chris has the facts or Jack has them. Jack Thompson doesn’t know when Chris Matthews ask if he knows. Plus, why is Jack always saying “We…” I only see him talking, don’t be persuasive.

By the way, if every kid is immerse in such games, why doesn’t everyone end up being a shooter? That would be logical according to his logic. Common sense tells me Jack Thompson talks about his own facts and what he knows and how to persuade with what he knows, but cannot come up with original logic to persuade anyone. I’d love to see him and Ian Bogost (go google him if you’re curious) in a debate.

I’ll let you soak it in and then get back to writing. ^_^

15 minutes later… *Ah, a good drink takes the thirst of writing away.*

Could it be possible that there are selective few that when this happens, it’s just a case that the person went crazy? I cannot say that everyone just gone crazy, maybe some people had reasons like the Columbine situation (maybe not?), but whatever it is, if one guy in the college campus out of 80% of the guys turn out to be a serial killer, I guess it’s a small percentage then. I’m sure there can be a lot discussed about violent video games, but I’ll let you take your own point-of-view.

Now, I’d like to get to another video. Here’s the last one, I promise and I’ll talk a little about this and probably get done. It’s late and I don’t even know what I’m talking about… I feel I might have slip up some sentences, but I’ll continue with faith ^_^

Alright, you ready to talk about this? Let’s first start with the sales to “mature” only audience and Microsoft’s quote.

Sure some places sell games for profit only and not thinking about the audience, but when was the last time a parent ask their kids what they bought and was actually interested in their games? I know my mom wasn’t, but she was aware of the violent games I played. She knew I played Mortal Combat (at least I thought she knew) when I was 12 and performed fatality, brutality, and beastiality(?) perfectly without a blink of an eye (I don’t think she knew the fatality and brutality without a blink of an eye). I was the master of brutality on Sega Genesis Mortal combat. I loved the challenge of combos and … okay, I better not get carried away here.

Let’s get back… Microsoft is right, there is a rating system on the Xbox360 for games and videos. Even PS2 had it. Here’s the problem, parents could care less about setting it because they… (are you ready for it??)… because they don’t know how to do it. Oh snap, parents, when was the last time you read a manual guide? The way to do it is straight in the manual that came with the console. Oh, and did you know you set your own password so if your kids want to play or watch those games or movies, they’d need your permission first. Hah, I thought parents cared… what happened this generation’s parents? Well, I tell you what happened, nothing (I hope nothing changed of significant). I think it’s easier to blame it on something as an excuse than to make the extra effort to have a better child or family. Yes, this is coming from a 23 year old college student, but be aware, my family was the biggest part of my life, so I understand what a family is and I understand how to be involved in one. I have a younger sister that I communicate with often, and we’re 100+ miles apart, not just in the other room or upstairs/downstairs, actually 100+ miles apart, and we’re really close.

Next, statistics does not show that all the dad’s kids play video games. No sir’ree. I know I said I won’t get into statistics, but researching a bit to show your knowledge of statistics correctly might be better (I think the kids now a days know more than adults because we actually research it). It shows that average gamer’s age is 30’s. Yup, in the 30’s, I’m sure they know how to think by then, because they should be out from college or high school and working by then (maybe some having their own kids).

Sure, violence and sexuality do have desensitizing effects; so does being hurt, like for boxers. I was always taught that I should know both sides of the story before doing a persuasive argument or debate or essay. I don’t think this is the case. If I were to debate against games, I would say this… they waste a lot of a child’s time than doing something constructive. Yup, that would be my stand in against games. Media just loves to blow things up in proportion, it’s like politics, you can’t always listen to what they say, you have to listen to what they should say but cover up with what they say, specifically the bashing of another side’s speeches or scenarios. White lies are dangerous.

I’d like to talk about the video of the time 4:30 onward to the end and this will be my last thought. Gah, I can’t wait to sleep, lol. Did I mention I love to sleep?

“… We live in the day of age where our children aren’t always supervise…” – WHAT?!? WHAT?!? I think it’s the day of age where parents let their children be baby sit by the video games. ‘My kid’s out of my way so I can do my own stuff.’ Isn’t that a little selfish? I always thought being a parent means showing them care and love and taking care of them no matter what? What happen to being the best parent there is? Is that ideology gone? Am I the only one who wants to cheer my kids on, get him or her to the soccer field and cheer them when they get to steal the ball from the opposing player? Teach them skills? Read them stories or have family talk time? I don’t care how busy a parent is in his or her career, children should always come first. That’s my in take on this. When was the last time you ask your kid a question such as “How was homework?” or “Who was that on the phone?” or “When is your friend coming over?” or “What game did you buy? Can I play with you?” or “Let’s go shopping for a new game for you.” or “Let’s go watch a movie together.” or “How was school?” or “Have you kiss that girl/boy yet?” or “Come here, I miss you *HUG*.” or “Here’s a PB&J, come and get it. (Then give them a noogie).” or “

Seriously, has any parent really talk about those stuff to their kids? Sure they’re embarrassing, but what happened to the “I won’t be a parent like my parents” phrase gone to? I think the cool-parent quote is out of the bag and it’s now career-parent to get money so the family can have things, not LOVE O_O *cry*. Pshhh, I would rather have time with my kids than all the money in the world. I can say this because I wish I have time with my mom than all the things I own. Seriously, I would and that is straight from my heart. Take that you moms and dads out there; you wish you had a son like me now didn’t you? hahah, well, too bad, I’m my mom’s son and that’s final.

“… What happened to Atari and pinball and Pacman?” – They’re still around. When was the last time you open a Windows PC and downloaded Pinball? If you still have the original XP, you should have Pinball in there, yea, try to beat my high score, I believe it was about 23,000,000. Yes, million. I’m not too sure though, I don’t have proof, but when I hit that high again, I’ll save it ^_^ Oh, and I’d like to add, Tetris is still available in so many places, in fact, you can play them online or download them onto the computer for free, and did you know you could play Tetris 2 Player on the same computer? Good game plus good time to spend kicking your kid’s butt in a game… or are you going to let your kid kick your butt? … OR are you just going to let your kid play alone instead of interacting with them? I’m giving you parents so many choices to interact with your kids, you taking notes or not?

“… There’s all kind of bad stuff coming through internet and through video games…” – All the violent movie that’s out now-a-days can be rented from blockbuster by a 17 year old and not get carded. Oh, did I ever tell you the story of me going to the movies with 2 of my friends. We went to see Matrix, the second one, and I was 18 while the other two were 16. Surely they didn’t pass the age of watching an M movie. Just because they’re taller, I got carded. Did I mention I was Asian too? I could definitely say something about being a racist, but yea, that’s a true story. Anyway, a kid can turn on a TBS or TNT or USA channel and have movies in their face off the wazoo and they don’t even need to pay money for violence. With satelite, wow, even HBO is available for kids. I never thought of that, but let me blame it on video games anyway. Movies are alright, they have rating too, so when a “TV-14″ or a “MA” comes up on tv and your child is watching, do you just sit there or do you let them watch it? What if you’re not home? Did you set the setting so it’s not watchable? If you could do that, then do that to the console too. Did you know that there are more cuss words going around in your kid’s school and on tv that they watch than you realize, even if it’s TV-14 or PG-13. Are you aware of that and doing something about that? I’m pointing to parents because when I become a parent and have become a lazy parent, I’d definitely like someone to point out my flaw or what I could do to better things. Yes, I’d honestly would, reminding me what being an awesome parent means (yet knowing the boundaries of when to be strict).

“… That makes me a parent, a much harder job… And also you can access thing on the internet and download them so you’re thinking if I don’t buy it, it’s okay…” – Yes, being a parent has always been a hard job, from the very start of your “watermelon pushing out from a hole the size of an orange” ’till the day you die, mom will always be mom and dad will always be dads. Let’s talk about video games on the internet and being able to download them. Games like these, violent or sexual, need credit card to buy and download and play. At least to my knowledge. If you don’t know what’s on the computer, you better go to school to get technology savvy. So, your kid needs credit card, are they using your credit card? How come you don’t even know what’s been used on YOUR credit card. If you’re talking about porn online, then that’s a separate matter in itself, becasue we’re only talking about video games =D

Sorry, we’re out of time, this brought to you by Matthew, the chitty-chatty blogger that talks a lot about video games and don’t know anything about it. Thank you for tuning in, I don’t expect you to read it all, but if you did, kudos to you.

Next, I’d like to talk about… How I and my mom came to an understanding (since I’ve been talking about parenthood). I like putting up a subject line before the next one comes up because that would make me think about that subject and then put it to heart.

Hot Debate… I Stand Unmoved

The hottest debates around America will definitely be the presidential nominees this time of the 4 years. So, the two hottest topic guys, Barack Obama and John McCain.

I’m not huge into politics, not because I don’t want to know what’s going on around me, but it’s the fact that I cannot vote. I’m only a permanent resident; a permanent resident who works, lives, eat, sleeps, and pay taxes like the citizens of America. I get almost everything Americans can have… everything except voting. I guess it’s okay, because I’m not a citizen of America, I shouldn’t have the rights to. I have all the other rights though (I’m pretty sure). I’m a proud to say I’m a Malaysian, don’t get me wrong, but I find that the fact I live in a place (which I thoroughly enjoy) with everything except a say in it doesn’t quite make sense… but I still accept it.

This year’s presidential election has definitely been the one I’ve heard of, know about, and talked about more than any other since 2000 (When I first came to America). It’s been 8 years, and I still know very little. Hey, if I don’t have to vote, I don’t need to know about it; that was my very first thought when it came to voting and politics. But I find that knowledge does have a power over those who are not knowledgeable, no matter how little, it’s still power. So, knowledge can definitely be power ^_^

I admit, I know very little about both sides, and I still stand unmoved. As a Christian, I hear a lot of Christian are biased in saying that we should vote Republican because they stand as the religious ones. The other day, my co-worker was discussing about this whole religion sides and I think they have a point. Before this ever became apparent, there wasn’t a religious side. It’s because there was a majority of Christian that wasn’t voting or maybe unanimous as a majority on one side, the Republican chose to say they’re of the Christian and stand with their morals. You know, convincing people that you have the same morals sure makes someone believe you a lot more. I’m not saying it’s bad or wrong, nor am I saying that the statement is untrue. I’m just saying that it’s a very good tactic. Well, that’s all for this, next up, Violent Video Games. Woo, go Jack Thompson, we gamers love him ^_^ you know it.