I'm not personally a gamer, but I am aware that the latest edition of Grand Theft Auto just came out and it is phenomenally popular. If you're not at all familiar with the game then I suggest you read a newspaper or watch the news at least once a month because you are clearly not doing that or you would have some at least basic knowledge of this game.

If you truly are able to use the internet and do so yet you have never heard of this video game I can tell you that there have been at least 4 versions of the game. They always involve a main character, who the game player controls, who is a low level criminal in some way associated with organized crime. The criminal is trying to work his way up and gain power, money, influence over the course of the game. This is done by engaging in criminal activities. Such as - stealing cars, killing people, selling illegal items, killing people, and also killing people.

Apparently, MADD (which stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is upset about the release of the latest version of this game. It is rated Mature and they think it should be rated Adults only. I have no idea what the difference is between these two ratings. I assume teens can purchase Mature rated games from department stores but they can't purchase Adult rated games. Of course, if their parents either don't care of don't know they are playing these games the teens will likely find another way to get the game even if it's rated Adults only. I don't know how exactly, but I'm guessing the internet would be a viable resource.

Any-who, MADD is exactly as their name implies about this game and the rating. That's not terribly surprising that a parent group is raising trouble about a violent and provocative piece of entertainment that fits right into the interests of a teen gamer. I bet there are numerous organizations who are protesting or speaking out against' Grand Theft Auto and it's alleged detrimental impacts on today's children. I think they're wrong, but I got no problem with them complaining. MADD, however, is specifically upset because the game allows players to get drunk and then drive cars. A character can go to a bar, have some drinks, and then drive around with a blurred screen and more difficult controls.

They're not upset about the ability to have sex with and then kill hookers, no, that's totally not their problem. MAHSWTKH* can deal with that issue as far as the people at MADD are concerned. But pretend drunk driving, well that's just a gate-way to actual drunk driving. They argue that it makes it seem fun or cool to drive drunk. They're probably right, but, people who are stupid are going to be equally stupid before they play the game as they are after.

Absolutely no one is going to decide to drive drunk because of how fun it was in a video game they played. I loved Tetris when I was a teenager and society at large would have no problem if I decided to get a bunch of large blocks of various shapes and drop them from my roof attempting to make them fit together. As fun as that is in an electronic game I have never and will never do that.

If anything, the folks at MADD should embrace this new game. They are in a constant struggle to keep people from driving while drunk. Clearly there are people who just really enjoy that activity. Now they have a safe outlet for that hobby and they can stay in their home and do it. MADD should be raising money to purchase copies of Grand Theft Auto 4 for all the repeat offenders they keep lists about. It's either going to keep them off the roads or give them practice and improve their skill at driving while drunk. Either way it's a step towards fewer booze caused collisions, which was probably the ultimate goal of the video game designers in the first place.

LW

* Mothers Against Having Sex With Then Killing Hookers