14 DAY TRIAL // Barack Obama is young. His daughters use a Nintendo Wii gaming console. He mentioned Grand Theft Auto IV on his campaign trail. And now he is again talking about videogames in not such flattering light.
In a written feature released on the occasion of Father's Day, President Barack Obama stated that “We need to set limits and expectations We need to replace that video game with a book and make sure that homework gets done... We need to tell our sons, Those songs on the radio may glorify violence, but in our house, we find glory in achievement, self-respect, and hard work.”
During the previous week, the President of the United States mentioned videogames twice. Speaking on education in Wisconsin he told the audience that China and India might have an advantage over the United States because their kids are watching less television and playing less videogames; while talking to the American Medical Association, Obama mentioned videogames as being a health hazard when played too much.
One of the most interesting reactions to that statement came from Peter Moore, who challenged the President to a contest involving recent best seller EA Sports Active. Moore wrote on his blog that “I guarantee the President wouldn’t look quite so smooth walking across the White House lawn to Marine One the morning after his first session with EA SPORTS Active (especially if he does those pesky lunges)! Mr. President, here is my challenge to you: Try EA SPORTS Active and I guarantee you’ll need aides saying 'Yes You Can!' to finish your first workout.”
While the President will probably not take Peter Moore up on that challenge, he might do well to tone down his rhetoric a little and maybe even throw in some arguments related to the positive contribution of videogames.