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whudats

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    Illinois Tax Payers Foot the Bill

    in What's Up?

    Illinois Ordered to Pay ESA Half Million

    The taxpayers will foot the bill for the State's attempt to regulate videogames.

    by Daemon Hatfield

     

    August 10, 2006 - As result of trying to enact a law banning the sale of violent videogames (which was found unconstitutional), the State of Illinois must pay the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), game industry trade group, $510,528.64 in attorney fees.

     

    "Judge Kennelly's rulings send two irrefutable messages -- not only are efforts to ban the sale of violent video games clearly unconstitutional, they are a waste of taxpayer dollars," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA. "The sad fact is that the State of Illinois knew this law was unconstitutional from the beginning. Taxpayers have a right to know that over half a million of their dollars and countless government hours were thrown away in this fruitless effort."

     

    "I am very disappointed that the State of Illinois has to pay these fees for what was such a clearly unconstitutional law from the start," said John Cullerton, Illinois 6th District State Senator. "When I spoke against the law in Springfield, I predicted we would have to pay legal fees. The amount ordered paid to the plaintiffs by Judge Kennelly doesn't even count the substantial fees the State will have to pay its own lawyers."

     

    The Safe Games Illinois Act would have required retailers to use warning labels in addition to the existing Entertainment Software Ratings Board labels. It also would have forced retailers to post signs within stores explaining the ESRB rating system. In December 2005, United States District Judge Matthew S. Kennelly handed down a permanent injunction halting the implementation of the law. In his decision declaring the law unconstitutional, Kennelly sided with the ESA, writing, "If controlling access to allegedly 'dangerous' speech is important in promoting the positive psychological development of children, in our society that role is properly accorded to parents and families, not the State."

     

    The legislation was proposed and championed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. As of this writing, the Governor's office did not return requests for comment.

    Non Fiction

    in What's Up?

    · Edited by whudats

    I'm currently reading Charlie Wilson's War (by George Crile). It's the true story about the CIA's involvement in the Afghan-Russian conflict.

     

    One of the best non-fiction books I've read in the last couple of years is The Devil's Highway (by Luis Alberto Urrea). It changed my perspective on the immigration issue - puts a face and name on a lot of the nameless.

     

    Another good one: Devil in the White City (by Erik Larson). It tells the true story of the events leading up to and surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, while at the same time chronicling the activities of a serial killer in the same area. It gives a great historical background on Chicago, too.

     

    Waiting for me next is Miracle in the Andes... (by Nando Parrado). It's a first person account of the Uruguayan rugby team that crashed in the Andes (remember the movie "Alive"), but more importantly it helps put life, and what's in it, in perspective. I can't wait to read it.

     

    90% of what I read is non-fiction, and I can offer some more if these don't do it for ya. But I don't think you can miss with any of these.

     

    **Edit - My 1000th post. Woohoo!**

    Ebil's family trip

    in What's Up?

    maybe i should post pics of my wyoming trip that i was on last week. lol it would be funny if i used this thread to do it in

    I was born in Wyoming! Let's see 'em...in another thread, maybe...? :boing:

     

    Nice pics Ebil. Any trip to Florida is nice...

    Running for Dollars

    in Christianity, Spirituality, Sharing, Study or Searching

    Hey guys!

     

    I'm running the Chicago Half-Marathon on October 1st, and have chosen these very special men, women, and children to be my motivation.

     

    If you choose to help, you can use this link to make a donation. The website is secure, fast, and easy to use. At the website you can enter an amount to donate, and upon completion you will receive an email confirmation of your donation.

     

    There is no pressure - thank you for taking the time to consider helping me support an organization that adds tremendously to the quality of life of these challenged individuals.

     

    For more information about The Special Olympics organization, click here.

     

    Thanks guys!! :peace:

     

    Greg

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