Newly-elected Senator Joseph Lieberman has been quoted recently that the rating system for video games is about "parents exercising some responsibility for what their children play and see, and therefore to protect their children from the worst impact of them."

Point taken, but is he really believing what he is saying or is he saying this to please his campaign donors? Reports from the Center for Responsive Politics said that the Senator and one-time VP candidate received roughly US$ 73,000 from a variety of gaming industry sources over the past two years.

One of the donors is WWE Entertainment executive officer, Linda McMahon (yup, Vince's wife). And of course, we all know that WWE is known for its TV show and their video games. This now earned the ire of critic Massie Ritsch, spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics. According to him:

If you're going to portray yourself as a champion against sex and violence on TV and in video games, it certainly doesn't look like you're completely serious if one of your big contributors makes its money from sex and violence.

Lieberman then replied that taking the donations "obviously doesn't affect my behavior, and the system allows for anyone who wants to see what I get to view all the donations."

With all that said, you are free to come up with your own conclusions with regards to this issue.

Over at The Day, they have this article out addressing something that some of you may be tired of hearing about: violence in videogames. What makes this particular article different is that it looks at the efforts of people to get parents in on the act of regulating what children play on their consoles.

How is it refreshing? Here's a surprisingly positive (for us adult gamers who want our adult games) comment from Adam Thierer of the Progress and Freedom Foundation:

Frankly, if a parent can't figure out what's in a game from those descriptors, then they must not be looking at the box. It's right there to see.

Other interesting bits in the article? Here's a nice quote from Sen. Joseph Lieberman about the rating system (something that we prefer over statewide bans):

This is about parents exercising some responsibility for what their children play and see, and therefore to protect their children from the worst impact of them.

It's good to read that they're starting to take responsibility for things, and are starting to focus on parental responsibility instead of playing the blame game.

For more info on Margaret Stevenson's article on The Day, feel free to click on our read-link below.

It is human nature to find strength in numbers. When faced with great adversity, people stand side by side to meet the common enemy head on. With that said, it seems that various segments of the society have been viewing the gaming industry as the common foe. And not only that, it looks like they are so keen on trampling these "evil weed."

Accordingly, a new alliance has been formed to combat ill effects of videogames to kids, beginning with educating parents about game ratings. The alliance, if we might add, is looking formidable indeed. It is composed of Senators Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman and ESRB President Patricia Vance. Surprisingly enough, Best Buy President Brian Dunn and GameStop President Steve Morgan complete the "Power Rangers."

Senator Clinton maintained that the renewed movement is in light of the coming Holiday season. It is needless to say that sales for gaming software and hardware will skyrocket during this time of the year. Clinton explained:

We all share in the responsibility of making sure our children play age-appropriate video games, and I'm pleased that the ESRB and retailers are working together to educate parents about the video game ratings and make sure they are enforced.

The group's first action included sending public service announcements to 800 TV stations nationwide, as well as radio and print ads. The PSAs are intended for parents, instructing them to regulate the games their children play. Senator Lieberman seconded:

I have long said that the ESRB ratings are the most comprehensive in the media industry. There are many age-appropriate games that are clever and entertaining. Parents should understand and use the ratings to help them decide which video games to buy for their families.

Over the past few weeks, ESRB was able to come up with various announcements regarding their plans to intensify enforcement of ratings for videogames. In the meanwhile, a big contrast is happening overseas, with some countries considering self regulation for the industry.