Editorialist Implies Connection Between Violent Videogames and Torture

We're getting pretty much accustomed to people saying outrageous things about videogames, from stating that they directly cause violent crime to saying that they are full length M-rated movies. Some people have even implied that those who play videogames should not be allowed to vote, as they are not mature enough to do so.

Now, an editorialist from the Huffington Post, named Kari Henley, who is the president of the Board of Directors at the Women & Family Life Center, worrying about torture and what America has done to enemy combatants does not solve anything if America does not worry about violence in videogames.

Kari Henley writes, “And what about these modern X-Box and online video games? While I happen to enjoy the "G" rated Wii, over 11 million people are spending their time engrossed in the World of Warcraft or Grand Theft Auto where the point is to go around and kill people in a calculated way. Tell me again why this is supposed to be fun and relaxing?”

She added that “According to the research oriented Warrior Science Group, watching violence is a technique used in the military to train soldiers to become killers, and video games do the same thing: 'Every time a child plays an interactive video game, he is learning the exact same conditioned reflex skills as a soldier or police officer in training.'”

Basically, all those who are playing violent videogames are killer soldiers in training, being prepared to inflict on enemies the same kinds of torture techniques that the CIA enforced upon enemy combatants. While a certain link between violent videogames and violence could be argued for, such strong implications like those presented by Kari Henley are ludicrous.

Torture is a big problem that can deface the reputation of the United States of American, while the presence of violence in videogames is an issue well regulated through parental warnings and industry self regulation.