OMG, govt of Greece bans ALL video games...

[Feanor]

http://www.theregus.com/content/4/26185.html

Greek govt bans all computer games
By Thomas C Greene in Washington
Posted: 09/03/2002 at 11:47 EST


The government of Greece is making heroic efforts to humiliate the nation in front of the entire world, by banning all electronic games. That's right; something as innocent as playing computer chess on your laptop in a hotel lobby is now a crime with penalties of up to three months in stir and a fine of 10,000 euros.

The purpose behind this charming legislation is to crack down on Internet gambling (which already was illegal) -- or, rather, to enable legislators to enact their little public dance of righteous aversion to Internet gambling.

Improved enforcement of existing law is all that was needed, but there's a problem. Unfortunately, the Greek government is "incapable of distinguishing innocuous video games from illegal gambling machines," according to an older article from the English-language Kathimerini newspaper, written while the bill was under consideration.

Now it's official. The legislature has concluded that all electronic games have got to go because the bureaucrats they're maintaining on the public payroll aren't swift enough to figure out the difference between video poker and TuXkart. Perhaps enforcing literacy requirements and sobriety regulations for government workers would have been a more productive approach, but it's too late for that now. ®

[LORD-eX-Bu]

I'm not greek and I don't really care as long as it doesn't affect me. So... all I have to say is... AND?:rolleyes:

[netviper13]

It sets a precident for the world man...this is so crazy, it's just corrupt politicians doing the bidding of their big-business friends to take the blame off of them and put it on the innocent companies.

Same stuff is happening with school shootings here in America. Did you know that in a study of about 95% of the shooters, the ONLY similarity found between them was that they took Ritalin! But who gets blamed? Music artists and Video Game companies. Why? Because doctors are in love with Ritalin because they get kickbacks from the drug companies to prescribe it.

Big business sucks.

[LORD-eX-Bu]

So does big government. Less government regulation and leave social programs to the private sector. That is the way to go. Reduce the size of the government, but increase the size of it in areas of Military and medicine.

[intercede007]

"So does big government. Less government regulation and leave social programs to the private sector. That is the way to go."

We elect representatives to maintain our government in a manner consistent with the values of the constituency. When that doesn't happen, we vote them out of office. Sending government programs into the hands of the private sector isn't very linear with the concept of our government. I'd rather have a hundreds of power hungry *****s who I can vote in and out of office running things then money hungry *****s who I can't.

[LORD-eX-Bu]

Originally posted by intercede007
"So does big government. Less government regulation and leave social programs to the private sector. That is the way to go."

We elect representatives to maintain our government in a manner consistent with the values of the constituency. When that doesn't happen, we vote them out of office. Sending government programs into the hands of the private sector isn't very linear with the concept of our government. I'd rather have a hundreds of power hungry *****s who I can vote in and out of office running things then money hungry *****s who I can't.

Exactly, if we didn't have things they are now that is how it would be. Nobody, I mean nobody, would be able to afford health care or anything else. The situation with child care and management that is going on in Florida would be widespread throughout the country. If people don't want to get screwwed by big business, then they should stop bitching about the way the government handles social programs and things such as health care. Everyone saw what deregulation in the energy industry did to California and many western states. Government regulation is what we need, until big business starts conducting business in a responsible and respectable manner, but since that will never happen, we need big government.

[vampireuk]

Originally posted by |TX|-LORD-EX-BU
I'm not greek and I don't really care as long as it doesn't affect me. So... all I have to say is... AND?:rolleyes:

its this kind of attutitude that lets crap like this spread:( , nothing personal against you TX :)

[[Corporal Dan]]

Hahaha

I was expecting this. ****ing socialist P.a.s.o.k. government. They're full of ****, the ****ers.

Just got some greek newspapers from the local greek bakery, i'll post again when i find some info, as this could all be a load of **** thought up by some incompetent hack reporter.

[ATI LoVeR 9700]

P.A.S.O.K. SUCKS!

****ing flange!

Sometimes Greek government is just stupid.

[Ryoko]

Originally posted by [Corporal Dan]
Hahaha

I was expecting this. ****ing socialist P.a.s.o.k. government. They're full of ****, the ****ers.

Just got some greek newspapers from the local greek bakery, i'll post again when i find some info, as this could all be a load of **** thought up by some incompetent hack reporter.

it's true, i know a few greeks who have been telling me about it. they really aren't enforcing it for computer video games, mainly for gambling games.

[bigC]

i guess that the 5 Grecians who own computers must be pissed, but really, they are a backwatd country, despite being one of the originators of modern western civilization

[StealthHawk]

Originally posted by intercede007
"So does big government. Less government regulation and leave social programs to the private sector. That is the way to go."

We elect representatives to maintain our government in a manner consistent with the values of the constituency. When that doesn't happen, we vote them out of office. Sending government programs into the hands of the private sector isn't very linear with the concept of our government. I'd rather have a hundreds of power hungry *****s who I can vote in and out of office running things then money hungry *****s who I can't.

not exactly. i believe it was Feanor who once said he believed many Americans don't vote because they don't see the point in voting for the "lesser of two evils."

i'm not saying i agree with that, but there is logic behind it. quite frankly, politicians don't seem to have my interests in mind at all, and i'm sure lots of other people feel the same way

[Feanor]

I was pulling info from various polls as to why people either voted for the candidate they did, or why they didn't vote. Along the lines was a poll where 80% of respondents thought that Congressional leaders were corrupt and no more trust worthy then a used car salesman.

It was many a year ago that a former ecconomics teacher I had, had gone to India. When the discussion came up he mentioned how he disliked George Bush (former) as president and didn't agree with this and that policy. The family he was staying with was confused and said

But you voted him in office. Right?

No, I didn't vote for him

But America is a democracy. If everyone doesn't vote for him, then he can't get in office. Therefor everyone must like the current official and agree with all of his policies. You, personally had to vote for him also, or he wouldn't be in office

He was mentioning this to mention how some people in other parts of the world seem to have some mistaken ideas about both what a democracy is and how things are in the US. The conversation went on for some time (according to him) but they couldn't seem to grasp how a person could be in office when this 1 person didn't vote for him, or how the US could enact policy when it is not the "will of the people" or a given person...forget that many people might not know all policies enacted (because of some things being top secret for a time). Somehow most votes given (and a low voter turnout has been spoken of), which doesn't even have to be a majority (in a 3 way election for instance) became in their minds, everyone...

[[Corporal Dan]]

Originally posted by bigC
i guess that the 5 Grecians who own computers must be pissed, but really, they are a backwatd country, despite being one of the originators of modern western civilization

Understand that i am censoring myself here.

You are an idiot.

Are you french?

Wouldn't surprise me.

FYBFA: they actually meant video poker and online gambling, found it written.

There are many computer-literate people living there. There are even three in these very forums.

Besides, when you're there you dont waste time with computers. You spend your time with good drinks, good food, and best of all, good women. Three things this pitiful excuse for a county lacks.


Moron.

[[Corporal Dan]]

Lemme also tell you a line that I've heard that amuses me highly.

When WE (the hellenic people) were writing great works of poetry and thinking about the human condition, YOU (americans/canadians) were swinging from trees and throwing rocks at your own shadows.

So don't give me any ****.

[[Corporal Dan]]

For the rest:

I spoke to three of my friends over there. They told me exactly whats going on.

Depending upon where you are in the country, there are different rules.

This 'law' applies more to online gambling/video poker and arcades than computer/console games.

Arcades are where a lot of crime goes on over there, lots of local riff-raff doing drug trades/prostitution/whatever. They want to control it.

Online gambling and video poker are going to be eliminated.

Also, they will impose some restrictions at netcafes over there. They want to limit the time of day when you can play quake and CS or any 'adult fps (i.e any game that's NOT Laser Tag Arena)'...

Some sh*thead in the government tried to push for more, but the opposition apparently raised a stink and he backed off.

****ing pasok was the worst thong to happen since the occupation

[Feanor]

They want to limit the time of day when you can play quake and CS or any 'adult fps (i.e any game that's NOT Laser Tag Arena)'...

That itself. Ooh, perhaps a person playing cribadge or solitare won't get busted, but if an adult wants to play Quake or Doom 3 when it comes out, that should be none of the government's God d*mned business (plz pardon my French) :D I hope no other countries are lame enough to pick up on this precedent...there is actually a certain appeal to online games (that don't have to have anything to do with gambling). A single player game can eventually grow old as one has played through it enough times.

Something in which one plays against human opponents (less predictable then a pre-programmed AI) and can either add mods for other types of game play (CTF wasn't always in there, or Team Fortress, or uwar in Unreal for instance) and new maps (like Quake) or something like like EverQuest, Ultima Online, etc can add other dimentions to game play that can keep it from growing old so fast... Remember also, human opponents can learn, can become better, and in so doing can become a more challenging opponent...

[[Corporal Dan]]

Originally posted by Feanor


That itself. Ooh, perhaps a person playing cribadge or solitare won't get busted, but if an adult wants to play Quake or Doom 3 when it comes out, that should be none of the government's God d*mned business (plz pardon my French) :D I hope no other countries are lame enough to pick up on this precedent...there is actually a certain appeal to online games (that don't have to have anything to do with gambling). A single player game can eventually grow old as one has played through it enough times. Something in which one plays against human opponents (less predictable then a pre-programmed AI) and can either add mods and new maps (like Quake) or something like like EverQuest, Ultima Online, etc can add other dimentions to game play that can keep it from growing old so fast...


Yea, but in netcafes, during the day?

some grannies musta complained :D

I can see the logic, though.

Bah. Another checkmark in the Craplist of the current government.

[ATI LoVeR 9700]

Yeah Greece is in shambles.

I don't go to Greece to play CS. I go there to drink some Amstel, have some home made wine, and some ouzo. I forgot to mention party until three in the morning, nap and the afternoon, and repeat the process day after day. Oh, and I don't work either.

My uncle supports Pasok over there. That idiot. All that party ever does is pass stupid laws, and **** with things that don't need to be ****ed with.

Greeks are very smart people, the chinese aren't the ones that set the foundation for modern civilization, the Greeks did. No too mention the greatest works of art, literature, and mathematics have come out of there. The first computer was designed by Greeks(not a modern one). It would compute something about the stars.

To the Greeks out there:

Tha paro ena doufeki kai tha tou valo dio sferes mes to kefali tou.

[Kruno]

Did they bann the internet too?

Well at least there is 1 good thing about banning technology. Every time you go to Greece, you will really be travelling to ancient Greece. :rolleyes:

[[Corporal Dan]]

Originally posted by ATI LoVeR 9700
Yeah Greece is in shambles.

I don't go to Greece to play CS. I go there to drink some Amstel, have some home made wine, and some ouzo. I forgot to mention party until three in the morning, nap and the afternoon, and repeat the process day after day. Oh, and I don't work either.

My uncle supports Pasok over there. That idiot. All that party ever does is pass stupid laws, and **** with things that don't need to be ****ed with.

Greeks are very smart people, the chinese aren't the ones that set the foundation for modern civilization, the Greeks did. No too mention the greatest works of art, literature, and mathematics have come out of there. The first computer was designed by Greeks(not a modern one). It would compute something about the stars.

To the Greeks out there:

Tha paro ena doufeki kai tha tou valo dio sferes mes to kefali tou.

haha

tha tou kopso t'arxidia kai tha ta xoso mes' sto mouni tis miteras tou...

[[Corporal Dan]]

Originally posted by K.I.L.E.R
Did they bann the internet too?

Well at least there is 1 good thing about banning technology. Every time you go to Greece, you will really be travelling to ancient Greece. :rolleyes:

As i, and atilover said, you dont go to greece to **** around with computers.

You go to do that with hot women, ouzo in hand.

heh

[PsychoSy]

One of the guys from another BBS came up with an ingenious idea for us to help those poor Greek folks (Dan, I loved that quote, BTW).

First, go to babbages/EB and snag one of those cheapo SNES/Genesis games or whatnot. Box it up and ship it directly to the Greco officials that brought forth this law with a note that says, "By opening this package, you can be charged with possession of an illegal video game and carted off to prison by the very laws you've signed! Cheers!!"

:p :D :cool:

[legion88]

Originally posted by Feanor
I was pulling info from various polls as to why people either voted for the candidate they did, or why they didn't vote. Along the lines was a poll where 80% of respondents thought that Congressional leaders were corrupt and no more trust worthy then a used car salesman.

It was many a year ago that a former ecconomics teacher I had, had gone to India. When the discussion came up he mentioned how he disliked George Bush (former) as president and didn't agree with this and that policy. The family he was staying with was confused and said

He was mentioning this to mention how some people in other parts of the world seem to have some mistaken ideas about both what a democracy is and how things are in the US. The conversation went on for some time (according to him) but they couldn't seem to grasp how a person could be in office when this 1 person didn't vote for him, or how the US could enact policy when it is not the "will of the people" or a given person...forget that many people might not know all policies enacted (because of some things being top secret for a time). Somehow most votes given (and a low voter turnout has been spoken of), which doesn't even have to be a majority (in a 3 way election for instance) became in their minds, everyone...

Looks like your former economics teacher is mistaken. The people of the rest of the world (excluding complete morons) are fully aware how people in the U.S. are elected. In India, Britain, Spain, Greece, Israel, and other democracies, the winning candidate is not required to obtain 100% of the vote, no different from the U.S. They don't require 100% voting rate, either. Again, no different from the U.S. Non-Americans are, generally, not that stupid about democracies.

The teacher is confusing actual misconceptions with people's needs to mischaracterize Americans so that it would be easier to hate them when things go bad or love them when things go their way.

Speaking of corruption, a study should be done on 'regular' people. If I had a trillion dollars, I would bet all of it that the so-called 'regular' people are no more, no less corrupt than the average Congressman. Congress is at a disadvantage in that their deceit gets played out on the air where everyone can see, once they get caught. Us regular folks can do the damage in secret until we're dead and buried.

[-=DVS=-]

Originally posted by PsychoSy
One of the guys from another BBS came up with an ingenious idea for us to help those poor Greek folks (Dan, I loved that quote, BTW).

First, go to babbages/EB and snag one of those cheapo SNES/Genesis games or whatnot. Box it up and ship it directly to the Greco officials that brought forth this law with a note that says, "By opening this package, you can be charged with possession of an illegal video game and carted off to prison by the very laws you've signed! Cheers!!"

:p :D :cool:


LOL good one :D


But seriously what idiot plays Casino games only its biggest scam ever lol :p

Why ban games if people are dumb :rolleyes:
They still will be dumb no matter what you do :p