stay in school

i recently read a transcript of obama talking about grand theft auto iv. i have to say the comments are hopeful. i think he takes the logical, well-thought out position rather than the knee-jerk republican (and clinton) positions:

I was just catching the news this morning about Grand Theft Auto, this video game, which is gonna break all records and make goo-gobs of money for whoever designed it. Now, this isn’t intended for kids, although I promise you there are kids who are playing it, but these video games are raising our kids…

Across the board, middle-class, upper-class, working-class kids, they’re spending a huge amount of their time not on their studies, but on entertainment.

And so part of our job is going to have to be to inspire the entire country to say, ‘How are we giving our kids a thirst for knowledge?’ And turning off the TV set, and getting them to be engaged and interested, like their future really does matter on how well they do in school.”

i really think its a matter of age. obama was in his 20s during the video game craze of the 80s. i'm sure he has played a few in his younger years and i think he's got a handle of just how "bad" they really are.

the disctractions kids have today, and that they get lost in, are a symptom not a cause. drugs, teen alcohol abuse, video games, promiscuity - they all have the same source.

its nice to see a politician NOT pandering to the family values crowd.