Disclaimer: Ipso Facto editorials represent the views of the author, and do not represent the views of the Ipso Facto editorial board, CJAM 99.1 FM, the University of Windsor, or the University of Windsor Faculty of Law.
I am a 25 year old adult male who still plays video games. I have played video games as far back as I can remember. My parents used to purchase video games for my brothers and me at Christmas, at our birthdays and other special occasions. Yet looking back over my video game collection I noticed that I never had any games that were rated M for Mature (17 years of age and above) when I was young. Once I was over 17 I was able to purchase these types of games for myself. So I was never given games that were outside of my age limit (with the exception of a few games rated T for Teen (13 or older) when I was below the age of 13). My parents exercised their ability to monitor the games that I was able to play, without the need of government intervention.
Although Ontario does have a prohibition on the sale of mature rated video games to anyone under the age of 18; it is simply an enforcement by the province of the voluntary Electronic Software Ratings Board ratings. In the US the law will have the government doing the ratings, making it a complete government regulated body that will prohibit the sale of “deviant” violent video games to minors.
It is easy to see how this debate is such a hot button political issue. As Tudor Carsten said on the air Wednesday morning on Ipso Facto it is easy to score political points when you say you want to keep violent video games out of the hands of the children. If one was to make a statement that he or she doesn’t mind allowing 12 year olds buying a brutally violent game they will be massacred on the news. They will most likely be voted out in the next election when their opponent plays that clip over and over in an attack ad campaign. It is a vicious cycle that allows laws like this to move through the system.
I feel that I have developed into a normal, everyday sane human being despite my exposure to violent video games. Video games were a great escape, like a good book or movie, but I had control over what was going to happen. Even now I have several games on my wish list that involve war, or assassins. All of the friends that grew up around me played the same kinds of games. They all turned out to be normal, everyday sane human beings as well.
It is my opinion that the law should not be used to push around such hot button political issues, but instead should focus on the more important aspects of society. They said similar things about the effects of movies and rap music, but neither of those forms of media have brought about the cataclysmic events that were foretold. The legal system of the United States should have better things to do than discuss whether a 15 year old can buy a copy of the newest M rated video game.
(As an aside, I do find it very comical that the case is Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California v Entertainment Merchants Association since Arnold is one of the most prolific violent action heroes in movie history)
Michael Spagnolo is a member of the Ipso Facto editorial board.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
CJAM has a Golden Ticket for you!
From www.cjam.ca
CJAM is proud to announce it’s biggest giveaway to date. CJAM 99.1FM has teamed with the area’s finest music venues and promoters to create the ‘Golden Ticket’ campaign.
CJAM will be selling raffle tickets over the coming weeks for a chance to win a Ticket for either The Majestic, Phog Lounge or Sinnastar Promotions that would allow the bearer access to every live music performance in the year of 2011. This unique promotion has never been done at CJAM or in the greater Windsor-Detroit area. With prize values totaling over $5000, winning a ‘Golden Ticket’ is the most exciting prospect possible for fans of live music.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each or 3 for $10 with all proceeds raised going towards CJAM’s goal of increasing it’s wattage to create greater accessibility to the station throughout Windsor and Detroit. The raffle tickets will be sold until December 15th/2010 with an on-air draw and announcement of winners happening on Monday, December 20th at 3:15pm.
Raffles tickets can be purchased at the following locations:
CJAM Studios – CAW Student Centre, University of WindsorSounds like a pretty wonderful study/practice break, does it not? If you want to buy tickets, contact one of your friends at Ipso Facto at ipsofactoradio@gmail.com.
Phog Lounge – 157 University Ave. West, Windsor
Dr.Disc Records – 471 Ouellette Ave., Windsor
Call the station for further details: 519-971-3606
Gene Wilder not included
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Virtual Legal Reality
Tomorrow on Ipso Facto, we're talking video games. In California a ban on selling violent video games to minors has faced multiple constitutional hurdles. Does banning video games infringe peoples right to freedom of expression? Does violence in video games breed violence in kids?
We'll also be joined by Anton van Hamel, an intern with the Children's Media Awareness Network, to discuss what current research says about the effect of video games on youths.
Ipso Facto is broadcast every Wednesday at 8 AM on CJAM 99.1 FM, and on www.cjam.ca
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Ipso Facto Feature: The No-Nonsense Guide to Ending Human Trafficking
This week the Canadian Lawyers Abroad Windsor Chapter hosted the Stop Sex Trafficking Campaign in partnership with The Body Shop and Beyond Borders. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of sex trafficking in Canada and petition the Federal government to form a National Plan of Action to stop the sexual exploitation of children in Canada. Body Shop’s Happy Hands kind Heart Hand Cream were sold with 100% of the net proceeds going to Beyond Borders to help support victims of trafficking.
There is a commonly held misconception that slavery was abolished long ago, however, this is not the case. Modern-day slavery is human trafficking. Millions of victims (predominantly women and children) are being controlled and exploited for profit through forced labour and sex slavery. Canada is no exception. Domestic human trafficking is a major problem, especially within the Aboriginal community and youth demographic.
Windsor students at the Faculty of Law were made very aware of the reality of human trafficking in Canada this week. The Student Law Society hosted Superintendent Marty Van Doren, the Human Trafficking Awareness Co-ordinator to the RCMP. Mr. Van Doren provided a lot of information but it was his stories of the victim’s that really opened our eyes to what human trafficking is. He told us of a 14 year old girl from Mississauga who ‘serviced’ 12 men in the time it took to get a warrant. Another girl was told by her pimp that she could buy her freedom for $100 000 but only after she paid the $1000 a day she owed him for the customers he brought to her.
The nature of the crime presents several problems. Victims often don’t self-identify as being trafficked or are too scared to leave and testify against their pimp. The Internet has allowed for traffickers and Johns [Ed’s. Note-Johns are a term used to label men who use the services of sex workers; in this case women who have been trafficked] to lure, groom, advertise and exploit victims in a private and anonymous environment. Immigration laws label victims as offenders denying them the support and protection they need. When traffickers are prosecuted, the judiciary is handing out minimal sentences of a few months to a few years for the most heinous of crimes.
The international community is calling on all states to implement a national plan of action to address this growing crime. For a plan to effectively combat human trafficking, measures on multiple levels must be implemented.
But always the question comes down to, what can you do?
It starts with education. Become aware of the different forms of human trafficking and bring awareness to those around you.
Get involved. Volunteer, intern, fundraise, campaign and support those fighting the cause. My internship through the Canadian Lawyers Abroad Internship Program is how I first became connected with Beyond Borders. As an intern I conducted research analyzing the legislative and policy response of different countries to child sex tourism and the effect of the internet in perpetuating the sexual exploitation of children. It was a truly eye-opening experience.
End the demand. The prevalence of sex trafficking is a direct correlate of societal demand, consisting primarily of men. Men need to begin speaking out against the sexual exploitation of children in Canada and abroad.
Spend wisely. The private sector perpetuates and profits off the buying and selling of women and children, specifically the travel and tourism and new technologies sectors. For example, Craigslist is commonly used to post sex ads by traffickers. They have blocked their “Adult Services” section in the U.S., but only after two girls wrote open letters to the Washington Post describing how they were forced to sell the virginity at the age of 11 on Craigslist. Chinese police recently raided a brothel in a Hilton hotel Karaoke club. Outraged anti-human trafficking groups called the Hilton to take a stand against human trafficking. Hilton hotels have responded and are working with ECPAT International to develop an internal code of conduct and educated employees. Only when the public calls on the private sector to take responsibility for their actions will change truly be seen.
We must remain mindful that there is no one solution. Shutting down craigslist may not end human trafficking. Tougher sentences may not end human trafficking. Helping one victim may not end human trafficking. But with every step the movement grows.
Canadians are becoming aware that human trafficking exists in our country but it is our response which truly matters. The nature of the crime is exceptionally heinous and inhumane, a topic in which many people do not want to hear about let alone bring to the attention of others. But only once the demand for change transcends the demand for modern-day slavery will those complicit in human trafficking be held accountable for their actions and freedom for those exploited truly realized.
Guest contributor Chelsea Hishon is a student at Windsor Law.
Windsor students at the Faculty of Law were made very aware of the reality of human trafficking in Canada this week. The Student Law Society hosted Superintendent Marty Van Doren, the Human Trafficking Awareness Co-ordinator to the RCMP. Mr. Van Doren provided a lot of information but it was his stories of the victim’s that really opened our eyes to what human trafficking is. He told us of a 14 year old girl from Mississauga who ‘serviced’ 12 men in the time it took to get a warrant. Another girl was told by her pimp that she could buy her freedom for $100 000 but only after she paid the $1000 a day she owed him for the customers he brought to her.
The nature of the crime presents several problems. Victims often don’t self-identify as being trafficked or are too scared to leave and testify against their pimp. The Internet has allowed for traffickers and Johns [Ed’s. Note-Johns are a term used to label men who use the services of sex workers; in this case women who have been trafficked] to lure, groom, advertise and exploit victims in a private and anonymous environment. Immigration laws label victims as offenders denying them the support and protection they need. When traffickers are prosecuted, the judiciary is handing out minimal sentences of a few months to a few years for the most heinous of crimes.
The international community is calling on all states to implement a national plan of action to address this growing crime. For a plan to effectively combat human trafficking, measures on multiple levels must be implemented.
But always the question comes down to, what can you do?
It starts with education. Become aware of the different forms of human trafficking and bring awareness to those around you.
Get involved. Volunteer, intern, fundraise, campaign and support those fighting the cause. My internship through the Canadian Lawyers Abroad Internship Program is how I first became connected with Beyond Borders. As an intern I conducted research analyzing the legislative and policy response of different countries to child sex tourism and the effect of the internet in perpetuating the sexual exploitation of children. It was a truly eye-opening experience.
End the demand. The prevalence of sex trafficking is a direct correlate of societal demand, consisting primarily of men. Men need to begin speaking out against the sexual exploitation of children in Canada and abroad.
Spend wisely. The private sector perpetuates and profits off the buying and selling of women and children, specifically the travel and tourism and new technologies sectors. For example, Craigslist is commonly used to post sex ads by traffickers. They have blocked their “Adult Services” section in the U.S., but only after two girls wrote open letters to the Washington Post describing how they were forced to sell the virginity at the age of 11 on Craigslist. Chinese police recently raided a brothel in a Hilton hotel Karaoke club. Outraged anti-human trafficking groups called the Hilton to take a stand against human trafficking. Hilton hotels have responded and are working with ECPAT International to develop an internal code of conduct and educated employees. Only when the public calls on the private sector to take responsibility for their actions will change truly be seen.
Canadians are becoming aware that human trafficking exists in our country but it is our response which truly matters. The nature of the crime is exceptionally heinous and inhumane, a topic in which many people do not want to hear about let alone bring to the attention of others. But only once the demand for change transcends the demand for modern-day slavery will those complicit in human trafficking be held accountable for their actions and freedom for those exploited truly realized.
Guest contributor Chelsea Hishon is a student at Windsor Law.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Blog Round Up: November 5th-November 12th 2010
Techno Lawyer outlines the top 5 reasons associates hate partners. I just want a partner to hate! #stillhasno2Ljob (via Sweet Hot Justice).
Public hearings on police conduct during the Toronto G20 have been taking place this week. Read all about it at the CBC, or check out one woman's story of having been "kettled" on the Sunday of G20 weekend at the Globe and Mail. Plus Ipso Facto has our own exclusive story about what it was like to be a legal observer at the G20.
The University of Windsor School of Law has responded to Professor Emily Carasco's allegations in a factum submitted to the Human Rights Tribunal, in it claiming that she has a reputation of being vindictive and vengeful. I just wish we could make a cake full of rainbows and smiles and we would all eat it and be happy.
The lawyer behind the now infamous "So You Want to go to Law School" YouTube video has been revealed. Now I know who to send my complaints about the crappy auto-tuned voices to.
Today is Random Act of Kindness day! So much better than "Kick-a-homeless-bum-in-the-street-day".
Missed Ipso Facto this week? Click here for this week's episode.
Public hearings on police conduct during the Toronto G20 have been taking place this week. Read all about it at the CBC, or check out one woman's story of having been "kettled" on the Sunday of G20 weekend at the Globe and Mail. Plus Ipso Facto has our own exclusive story about what it was like to be a legal observer at the G20.
The University of Windsor School of Law has responded to Professor Emily Carasco's allegations in a factum submitted to the Human Rights Tribunal, in it claiming that she has a reputation of being vindictive and vengeful. I just wish we could make a cake full of rainbows and smiles and we would all eat it and be happy.
The lawyer behind the now infamous "So You Want to go to Law School" YouTube video has been revealed. Now I know who to send my complaints about the crappy auto-tuned voices to.
Today is Random Act of Kindness day! So much better than "Kick-a-homeless-bum-in-the-street-day".
Missed Ipso Facto this week? Click here for this week's episode.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Human Trafficking: Resources
If you tuned into to today's episode (which if you missed, can be found here) you know that we talked about human trafficking with Shelley Gilbert, Coordinator of Social Work Services at Legal Assistance of Windsor, and Chelsea Hishon with Canadian Lawyers Abroad. Below you'll find links to organizations that are working to stop human trafficking, as well as places you can contact if you, or someone you know, is involved in human trafficking.
Stop Human Trafficking: Windsor-Essex Action Group
Legal Assistance of Windsor
85 Pitt Street East
Windsor, ON N9A 2V3
Phone: (519) 256-7831
Fax: (519)256-1387
TTY: (519) 256-5287
Windsor Refugee Office
RCMP Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre
Beyond Borders
National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
Canadian Lawyers Abroad
Stop Human Trafficking: Windsor-Essex Action Group
Legal Assistance of Windsor
85 Pitt Street East
Windsor, ON N9A 2V3
Phone: (519) 256-7831
Fax: (519)256-1387
TTY: (519) 256-5287
Windsor Refugee Office
RCMP Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre
Beyond Borders
National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
Canadian Lawyers Abroad
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pledge Drive Update!
Hi all! The team at Ipso Facto just wanted to thank everyone who listened to our pledge drive show yesterday. So far we've managed to reach the halfway point of our goal of $300! Thank you for your donations and for supporting Ipso Facto during our re-boot this year. We have a ton of great content coming up, including episodes on human trafficking and video games. Remember to listen every Wednesday morning at 8 AM on CJAM 99.1 FM Windsor/Detroit. And we are still looking for donations. Head over to www.cjam.ca to make a donation online, or send us an email at ipsofactoradio@gmail.com if you'd like to donate via cash or cheque. Every little bit helps!
And in case you dug the music from yesterday, here's our playlist for the pledge drive show. Just another reason to tune into CJAM; kick-ass music!
Hot Panda-Start Making Sense
Bend Sinister-Change Your Mind
Crissi Cochrane-Coming Home
Michou-Struggling to Connect
Hannah Georgas-Dancefloor
StereoGoesStellar-The Information Age
Treelines-Canadian Airlines
Arkells-No Champagne Socialist
And in case you dug the music from yesterday, here's our playlist for the pledge drive show. Just another reason to tune into CJAM; kick-ass music!
Hot Panda-Start Making Sense
Bend Sinister-Change Your Mind
Crissi Cochrane-Coming Home
Michou-Struggling to Connect
Hannah Georgas-Dancefloor
StereoGoesStellar-The Information Age
Treelines-Canadian Airlines
Arkells-No Champagne Socialist
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