zomg what's your sole issue, Tom?

If anything can be a single issue it could be videogames because it represents freedom of expression. From freedom of expression comes individuality and liberty, and from these all other ideals often considered inherent rights.

Any form of government regulation on expression coveys a State sense of morality. From here it is a slippery slope to State morality regulating or at least endorsing a particular religion, lifestyle, or method of raising children.

Sure a study can be done as Obama suggests, but every study done on gaming so far has been flawed, even the ones that support it. The main flaw is that anyone who analyzes the data must first define good and bad. Who is the moral judge that will determine this over the opinions of all others?

Would a voter whose single issue is video gaming even bother to vote? Could they yank themselves away from Fallout 3 to carry out their civic duty? It's going to be tough for me, and I'm not a one issue man.

Balasarius didn't the Iraq War start on that date?

Methinks Fidgit would be better served by sticking to the world of gaming and leaving the politics out of the equation.

I understand the sentiment, Iso, but politics and gaming are definitely intertwined. For better or worse, videogaming is a cultural force, particularly among the young, and that's going to attract political attention. A former editor of mine, Steve Bauman, is fond of pointing out that everyone wants games to be taken seriously, until games are taken seriously. :)

But I hear you. I appreciate the feedback all around.

I appreciate the little bits here and there about politics. Especially since you strike an admirable balance by using humor but still clearly conveying an appropriate amount of respect.

I can understand why some may want you to leave politics out of the equation on a gaming site, but I respectfully disagree that Fidgit would be better served by you doing so. This is a huge moment for us as Americans...indeed, there is much at stake for the entire world. The more we are reminded of that, especially in a lighthearted way at sites like this, the better for all of us.

I appreciate that some people may want to escape from all political references when they visit a site such as this. I just read the same thing from a reader's email to my favorite sports column. I understand that feeling, but it's not what I want as a consumer/fan/commenter.

So keep up the good work. You're hitting the right tone.

Hillary Clinton's stance on videogames is one of the largest reasons I was not fond of her, certainly. If nothing else, it seems like a litmus test of a candidate's willingness to make significant decisions on the basis of little concrete knowledge, as well as regulate entertainment industries on the basis of a non-universal moral code. One which she pretty handily fails.

I'm not real thrilled about Obama's stance on things either, but at least he proposes to get actual information before wading in.

Mind you, if Clinton had been the Democratic candidate, I'd have voted for her. There's too much else riding on this election. But I wouldn't have enjoyed it.

I'm glad I don't have to vote in those elections being a European.
Pretty messed up but on the other hand fun to watch from afar.

I vote for keeping those little polticial things on Fidgit as long as it's somehow tied to games and doesn't take more space than gaming news.

I vote (heh) for Tom to continue writing about whatever the *$&% he wants. I would also like to add a rider to that bill, authorizing the forced expatriation of anyone who comments for the sole purpose of instructing a writer what topics he shouldn't write about.