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[bitwise]

http://www.wnbc.com/technology/4031995/detail.html

Teens Blame Vandalism Spree On Video Game

POSTED: 8:34 am EST December 29, 2004

GREENSBURG, Pa. -- Five middle-school boys in Greensburg have been arrested, charged in a graffiti blitz they blame on a video game.

The boys range in age from 12 to 14 and are charged with institutional vandalism, criminal conspiracy, criminal mischief and desecration of venerated objects.

Police in the western Pennsylvania town said the youngsters have admitted spray-painting the initials "GKU" on more than a dozen buildings, including a synagogue, an art museum and a Christian thrift store. The initials supposedly stand for "gang kids united."

Police said the boys claim they were inspired by the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas."

 

[Azih]

That was the first mission in GTA wasn't it?

Were they going to reenact the whole game? Crazy.

 

[olimario]

GANG KIDS 4 LYFE!

LEFT TO RIGHT
Gaptooth, Soggybottom, Redear, Smiles, Ducky, Strong man.

 

[mr2mike]

"Police said the boys claim they were inspired by the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.""

Being "inspired" shouldn't mean squat. what should count is the fact that their paren't didn't raise them well enough to tell the difference between a game and the real world.

/rant

 

[belgurdo]

They'd be better off blaming their actions on Jet Set Radio, seeing as how tagging is such a tiny part of SA

 

[Azih]

No but you see Jet Set Radio had the "Graffiti is art, sega doesn't condone acts of vandalism" blurb at the start.

Did GTA:SA? Huh, HUH?

 

[DJPS2]

How long will it be before I have to go into some dimly-lit back room to buy my video games? It crap like this continues, it won't be that long at all.

This is yet another example of the stunning lack of personal responsibility in America where kids never do anything wrong-- it's always the video games, the music, TV, movies, etc.

Way to go, parents, in allowing your kids to play a game not meant for them... but it's not your fault, either... right?

 

[Grubdog]

Aged 12 to 14? They're not even old enough to play the game. -_-

 

[bitwise]

This is yet another example of the stunning lack of personal responsibility in America

hey now -- happens around the world. dont single out america
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3934277.stm

 

[belgurdo]

This is yet another example of the stunning lack of personal responsibility in America where kids never do anything wrong-- it's always the video games, the music, TV, movies, etc.

I like how all violent crime and irresponsibility happens only in America

 

[DJPS2]

I like how all violent crime and irresponsibility happens only in America

OK... it does happen elsewhere, but it seems to be more prevalent here.

 

[DJPS2]

Aged 12 to 14? They're not even old enough to play the game. -_-

Sure they are, if they pester their parents enough to buy it for them.

 

[tahrikmili]

I like how all violent crime and irresponsibility happens only in America

I bet kids paint graffiti on walls everywhere, just nobody bothers to send police after them. Even in this case, I bet they would have gotten away if they hadn't painted on a synagogue.

Calling graffiti painting 'violent crime' would be stretching things a bit..

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

 

[Foobar]

If we're really going to protect children and the world from violence, we need to stop having these silly things called "opinions" and "ideas." Even if were burned every form of media in a gigantic fire, we'd still be in danger because brains would remain functioning.

Basically, we should just all stop breathing... so who wants to go first?

 

[DJPS2]

If we're really going to protect children and the world from violence, we need to stop having these silly things called "opinions" and "ideas." Even if were burned every form of media in a gigantic fire, we'd still be in danger because brains would remain functioning.

Basically, we should just all stop breathing... so who wants to go first?

Unfortunately, since parenting has become a lost art, isolationism seems to be the only solution. It's simply too easy (and convenient) for parents to turn around and blame everything else under the sun for what little Johnny does, rather than force the child to step up and take his lumps-- or even to accept some of the responsibility that's supposed to fall on parents for their children's actions.

 

[LAMBO]

There weren't any violent vid games, tv, or movies in nazi germany.

 

[DJPS2]

There weren't any violent vid games, tv, or movies in nazi germany.

So? There was also more of a propensity to take responsibility for your actions back then, instead of finding someone or something to blame all the time. Parents didn't cave to their children's demands so easily, just to shut them up, either.

There's no basis for comparison here that I can see, although I'm willing to listen if you want to expand on this.

 

[radioheadrule83]

They shouldn't have been able to buy the game. Parents' fault.
The degenerate kids should have known the difference between reality and video game worlds. Parents' fault.

Most of the time -- when someone commits a crime, and they happen to lay blame on childhood parenting, or on different things in the media -- sure, that should be considered for improving social services and censorship... but they still committed the crime, and they're still punishable by law.

But when you've got minors like these kids, they are someone elses responsibility. I'm sure if parents were to suddenly find themselves fined for damage, or even just for buying games for under-aged gamers - they'd soon learn some parenting skills.

And maybe the kids wouldn't think it was so hot to play these things if they saw mom and dad paying wads out the ass for their stupid actions, while they're grounded 4 thug lyfe.

 

[DCharlie]

"So? There was also more of a propensity to take responsibility for your actions back then, instead of finding someone or something to blame all the time."

"it's all the Jews fault"... yes, the Germans really had taking responsibility down to a fine art!

 

[Mr Nash]

People haven't taken responsibility for their actions for centuries. The expression, "The devil made me do it instantly" comes to mind. This is exactly what a lot of young'uns are doing. They aren't stupid, they know full well at this point that the media will have a field day with more woes to blame on games, movies, music, etc., thus taking the attention away from the idiot kids (and probably spawns of equally idiotic parents) that are causing the problems in the first place.

 

[Do The Mario]

I know a nine and eleven year old that got this game for Christmas! Parents will buying anything for there kids without looking at the box.

 

[Mr Nash]

Maybe the people responsible for the ESRB ratings should replace the giant "M", that parents seem to ignore on the cover of games like GTA, with a giant penis. That certainly will get them to at least take notice that the game isn't meant for kids. It may get their attention for the wrong reasons, but I guarantee less little kids will be getting GTA and the like for Christmas if there was a picture like that on the box.

 

[impirius]

Gang Kids United... aaaahahahahahahahaha