Profiles in Hypocrisy: Gov. Arnold Pushes Violent Game Ban

California legislators, along with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, are still trying to ban the sale of violent video games to minors. Now, they’re taking their fight to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Similar state bans on violent games have been deemed unconstitutional by the courts again and again and again (and again). But knowing that the law is in blatant violation of the First Amendment hasn’t stopped the “Governator” (who, ironically, has starred in more than a few violent movies over the last couple decades) from trying to impose his parenting advice on the public. From his statement:

By prohibiting the sale of violent video games to children under the age of 18 and requiring these games to be clearly labeled, this law would allow parents to make better informed decisions for their kids.

Prohibiting the sale of a product to children does absolutely nothing to “inform” parents about the merits of the product, nor does it “allow” parents to make better decisions. Rather, it takes the decision completely out of parents’ hands. Can’t you just imagine the Orwellian slogan in Sacramento: PROHIBITION=EMPOWERMENT.

This is just another attempt for the state to assume the role of the parent by politicians who think real parents are too stupid to raise their kids. But hey, it’s not like Californian lawmakers have anything else to worry about these days. Right?