The title is a quote from Benjamin Franklin, and it holds as true today as it ever has. It’s also appropriate that I utilize a quote from a famous American Statesman and one of our country’s founders, as this article has some political overtones. And I’m sure Jack Thompson would love to weigh in on this one.

A few weeks ago, my daughter's school invited a guest speaker to give a lecture to the student body on bullying, and cyber-bullying. A note was sent home before the talk was given, briefly outlining the two topics to be discussed. I thought little of it, and felt it was a good idea, after all, I don’t want my daughter to be guilty of such atrocities, nor do I want her to fall victim to it.

To clarify, my daughter attends a private, parochial school in a small town surrounded by a large rural area. Additionally, her school happens to be the educational destination for students for higher socio-economic stature in the vicinity. Because of location, religion, and growing economics, my daughter’s school has been becoming increasingly conservative. The school has implemented the following policies in the past two years: all shirts must have collars, pants must have a high rise (waist line), and all makeup, including cover-up, is not allowed. (Having a daughter, I am not completely against the idea, but have you ever tried to find a pair of girls' jeans with a high waist that don’t say 'Wrangler'?) You get the idea.

A few days, after the talk took place, my daughter and I were sitting at home, watching television. A commercial for Rockstar’s Bully came on, and my daughter mentioned that she heard it was a bad game and teaches you to bully and hurt other people. I asked where she heard that, and she told me it was discussed at the 'talk' the school hosted. She went on to tell me that at the end of the talk, there was a question and answer period. A child stood up and asked about the game Bully, and the speaker told the child it was 'bad' because the game teaches you to and rewards you for bullying other kids. Similar allegations have been made by my favorite Florida attorney, Jack Thompson. If you’ve played this game, you realize this isn’t true. In fact, the truth is quite the opposite.

These statements angered me, so I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I located and contacted the gentleman who gave the talk, giving him a chance to respond to the allegations my daughter made. The e-mail 'conversation' started with a simple 'Are you the gentleman who…' After I had confirmed I had reached the person I intended, I continued, asking about the context of the talks he gives, and then proceeded to the question I really wanted to ask:

Mr. X: I looked over the slides, and am more then content with what I see here. These are all things I am pleased were discussed with the children. My question regarding the talk tends to be more specific. My child mentioned that the video game "Bully" by RockStar Games was brought up by one of the students. Do you recall the question or your response to it?

His response was simple, but concerning:

I do not recall the question being asked publicly at the presentation, it may have been a side conversation between some kids. I don't know a lot about it, but the little I've heard was disturbing in that points are awarded for negative behavior.

When I replied, saying he was incorrect in his ascertations, he backpedaled:

As far as the game goes, I know little about it.

He continued with the most ignorant statement I’ve heard in a long time:

If it's not a game for kids, then who is it intended for and how do you control who's purchasing it and playing it?

I don’t understand how someone can even make a statement like this. I decided to educate him about the ESRB rating system and remind him the obligation parents have to actually raise their kids.

The game is for teens and adults. According to the ESRB rating: 'TEEN Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.'

Retailers and parents are the responsible parties, as they have always been for other materials not suitable for children, whether the item in question is pornographic material, firearms, alcohol, tobacco or other unsuitable materials.

I suggested his response the next time should be something a bit more factual, "This game is not designed for children. You should ask your parents for more information."

don't know if my words fell on deaf ears, but he apparently decided the conversation was over, as he will not answer my e-mails any longer. This experience has helped me realize something: 'The ignorant preaching to the uninformed propagates stupidity. '

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