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ezacharyk
11-19-2007, 12:05 AM
I came across this document through Arstechnica. It is Obama's plan for advancing technology (http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/HQpress/111307%20Innovation%20fact%20sheet.pdf) in the US after his election.

Some really good points are his plan to appoint a federal Chief Technology Officer and opening up the government for more citizen screening. Meaning we will have easier access to government documents and possibly see more cabinet meetings in action over the web.

But what really concerns us (video gamers) is under the heading, Protect Our Children While Preserving the First Amendment

Obama values our First Amendment freedoms and our right to
artistic expression and does not view regulation as the answer to these concerns. Instead, an Obama
administration will give parents the tools and information they need to control what their children see on
television and the Internet in ways fully consistent with the First Amendment.

Obama will work to give parents the tools to prevent reception of programming that they find offensive
on television and on digital media. Obama will encourage improvements to the existing voluntary rating
system, exploiting new technologies like tagging and filtering, so that parents can better understand what
content their children will see, and have the tools to respond.

Although he does not directly talk about video games in this document, these statements would definitely apply and set a precedent.

I think that Obama is worth keeping an eye on as a presidential hopeful.

Twin-Skies
11-19-2007, 03:29 AM
"Obama will work to give parents the tools to prevent reception of programming that they find offensive on television and on digital media.
Obama will encourage improvements to the existing voluntary rating
system, exploiting new technologies like tagging and filtering, so that parents can better understand what content their children will see, and have the tools to respond."

Nice idea and all, but I do believe that such measures already exists in games: parental blocks. If Obama's campaign meant some sort of ratings awareness program, that that might make more sense.

Of course, given I'm a banyaga (it's "foreigner" in my native tongue), I can't really vote.

Cigawoot
11-19-2007, 10:21 AM
So far, this is the best approach I've seen. I think he wants to deal with the issue, but still keep the will of those 18+ in mind.

/applaud Obama

This is better then hearing "well we're gunna ban them to minors and if it affects ur access well **** you we're doin' it anywayz"