A thread on HL Fallout was commenting about a program on Goodmorning America (morning talkshow in the States). It's regarding violence in the media and video games. Among the worst offenders (i.e. most violent videogames) were Doom3, Grand Theft Auto 3, and Half-Life 2!
I've always thought the sort of argument proposed by the conservatives (damn Bush supporters) that violent video games influence the behavior of young people is a dangerous road down the slippery slope. It's one step away from censorship. Gamers are as likely as priests and nuns to carry out violent acts. In fact, from the sleuth of sexual molestation accusations lately, gamers are less likely to committ deplorable acts.
I am a pediatrician, and I have many colleagues in the hospital who are also fans of first-person-shooter games. In fact, that's one of our favorite passtimes after we've spent days saving lives in the hospital. The rush of excitement while spurting out bullets from an assault rifle provides a great outlet for the stress and frustration encountered daily in the lives of a medical resident. In fact, some of the best doctors I know are formidable opponents in a deathmatch arena.
People are not made violent by video games. Those who perform violent acts already have the seed of violence within them before they started playing these games. There are so many other social ills which need to be addressed before paranoid conservatives invent fears among harmless hobbies.
Stop censorship. Stop conservatives from taking over the world. Stop G. W. Bush.