Typically I'm not one to try to spur you guys into action. But, when I see gamers organizing to provide a visible resistance to the current anti-videogame political environment, I feel compelled to toss GU's moderately influential hat into the arena.

The "Wall of Protest" is your basic, new-media opposition to perceived wrongs committed against videogames by legislators more interested in pushing their narrow minded agenda than protecting our first amendment right to freedom of expression. So, if you're interested in the wall, or you'd like help expressing your concerns to your representative, videogamevoters.org has a wealth of information on what can be done to further the pro-gaming cause and specifics on how you can help.

So... if you guys decide you want to participate, cool. If not, that's fine too. My intention is really only to inform you. Do with it what you will.

Thanks for the heads up woody, I've been looking for something to do about this for a long time.

On the bright side, it appears that a lot of the anti-gaming legislation (in the US, at least) has fallen flat on it's face and the movement is mostly dead.

Hey, this interests me.. what are your political icons doing now, against videogames?
Over here (germany) we have something else to worry about. .. something about giving the police the authority to invade every persons privacy by spying their harddrives, without warning or consent of said persons. Simply put.. (load of horsecrap, sure.. but nonetheless, it's the idea that's frightening)

I havent heard anything much, theres been some effort to just restrict Video Game content, but anything that actually passes leglislation usually gets smacked down by the Judicial Branch. As for harddrive spying, I do beleive a US leglisator some time ago made a really outlandish proposal that would ban custom-built computers, and put government spyware on all manufacturer computers. I dont even think it ever entered the House/Senate.

Germany is probably one of the last places I would want to live, though. As far as I am aware, they already have numerous laws that restrict/ban what Video Games can and cant do, at least one German developer had their offices raided, and the place in general looks pretty bleak. Its stuff like that which makes me realize just how different democracies can be from eachother.

I'll be participating whole heartedly. Can't wait to see what turns out from this whole ordeal. Doesn't look like it will be effecting the great winter season for video games though.

You know, I like the idea, but today, of all days this strikes me as the wrong fish to fry.

I am reluctant to bring politics into this, but Chris Dodd's hold on the FISA legislation is being threatened by his own party. This legislation would allow a huge increase in unmonitored government monitoring of us. I am far more worried about being secure in my person and papers than censorship-at least today.

I will definately visit that site when I am at home and not at work

monitoring of what we do, I guess it is scary when it gets too far, but personally, it doesn't bother me. I am an open book anyways and don't hide much of anything.

I think it is when the monitoring turns in to controlling of what we do (other than simply looking for people wanting to hurt others). but then again, it is a huge debate that is normally won by those with philosophy majors

Well [US gamers] can be damned proud of your judicial branch then
The funny thing is, the proposition has already passed the first instance of "gettin'-the-thing-done" (must think of something to describe it as I can't think of any good words..) .. but I don't really know that well how it stands right now.
Personally, I don't believe it'll get implemented into the process of investigation of our local police.. simple because it's not.. uh.. possibly to do it in 100% percent of the cases.

Nananki, you're absolutely right if you base your wish to live there solely on that perspective. It's one of the most restrictive countries in that respect I can think of.
The German Authority of Rating Video Games is harsh and sometimes hillarious.. but every place has an upside and a downside. In germany you can get alcohol 24/7 and you must only be 16 years old to get as drunk as you can. Compared to sweden.. well..
Though, from 16 to 21 (or 18.. ) its only 5 (2) years.. so what the hell, .. yeah when you're a gamer it really comes down to the question of censorship..
Heh, hillarious example: Hakenkreuze, uh..swastikas. Legal on TV even if praised, illegal to be shown in videogames even if demonised. Makes me doubt common sense over here..

/e:
Oh, by the way.. you're, when your over 18, not technically disallowed to 'own' videogames which are on the index, i.e. not allowed to be sold by anyone "in" germany. But you can always import them, praise the EU, hehe..

That felt good posting on the wall. I've done speeches, reports, and sit-downs and it should always fall to the parents policing their kids.