Courtesy of Finance and Commerce, Attorney General Lori Swanson is dropping efforts to fine underage buyers of violent video games -- and Minnesota had to foot the bill for attorney's bills.Paul Smith, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said Monday that the state decided not to pursue the case further because of a deal that would require the attorney general's office to pay a reduced amount in fees owed to plaintiff's lawyers. Smith could not say what the reduced amount was, though a court filing from May 19 shows that the plaintiffs' lawyers were owed nearly $84,000. Woglsand did not return calls Monday.
The Entertainment Software Association, one of the plaintiffs in the case, announced Monday that the state paid $65,000 in attorney's fees and expenses.
In 2006, the measure was challenged only days after Pawlenty signed it by the Entertainment Software Association and the Entertainment Merchants Association, which asked for a permanent injunction.
In arguments before the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, then-Attorney General Mike Hatch said violent video games cause psychological harm to children. However, District Court Judge James Rosenbaum ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, saying the state could not provide sufficient evidence showing the causal link between exposure to violent video games and aggressive behavior in minors. It was a stupid piece of legislation in the first place. Parents should not use their television as a babysitter, and they should not depend on the state to control the games their children play. Instead of depending on a legal taboo, why not discuss the issue with one's entire family, ensure understanding, and trust your children to make the right choices? Is that concept anathema to the modern American family?
It's a tough spot for Swanson to be in -- it's her responsibility to pursue the laws set before her by the Legislature and the Governor, even stupid laws like this one. And there's definitely a generational divide here -- younger people are much more likely to disagree with their parents and their state legislators on the effects of video games. But come on, folks -- this was never going to pass muster with the courts, and rightfully so -- and now we're all stuck with the bill.
As for Hatch's role in the 2006 ACORN "donation" (of one dollar less than would require the money to go into state coffers) from a legal settlement, and ACORN PAC's subsequent endorsement of Hatch's gubernatorial bid -- I honestly can't say I'm surprised. That's definitely not a silly little thing, but it's a post for another day. |
