Connecticut Town to Collect and Destroy Violent Video Games

A small Connecticut town approximately 30 miles from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is organizing an event that is calling for people to turn in their copies of violent video games so they can eventually be destroyed.

The group behind the "Violent Video Games Return Program" is Southingston SOS, who formed after Hurricane Katrina as an assistance group for both national and local tragedies. Members of the group include the local Chamber of Commerce, Board of Education, YMCA, Fire Dept., various town officials, and local clergy.

Obviously, this seems a little, well, odd. Especially considering the remarks of member Joe Erardi, Southington School superintendent, who claims the group is simply "suggesting that for parents who have a child or children who play violent video games, to first of all view the games. We're asking parents to better understand what their child is doing. Have a conversation about next steps. If parents are comfortable (with their child's gaming habits), we're comfortable." 

If the parents aren't comfortable with their child's gaming habits, I can't help but wonder why they're buying their children this type of media in the first place, but that's a whole other can of worms.

If the end game is a dialogue between parents and children, which is fine, then why the burning? Is it merely symbolic? Destruction of virtual violence equals the destruction of real world violence? Obviously, since he's encouraging the program, Erardi is likely a proponent that violence in games begets violence in life, right? "I don't have the expertise to share an opinion on that," he said. "There is never anything wrong with parents having a courageous conversation with their children. And when you're stepping into the domain of your child, it's always a courageous conversation."

OK, now my head hurts.

Apparently, the program was the result of the communities desire to "do something for Newtown," said Erardi. The SOS "convened and we looked at how do we continue to pray and support Newtown and how do we do something perhaps meaningful for Newtown and our own community."

I guess all those who experienced the loss of a child care of a maladjusted young man with easy access to his gun enthusiast mother's weapon collection in Newtown will somehow be comforted by seeing a large fire some 30 miles down the road.

The event takes place Jan. 12.