Game Politics ([info]gamepolitics) wrote,
2006-07-08 11:07:00
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Congressman Claims "The Daily Show" Gave Him a Raw Deal

A Pennsylvania congressman who said that Grand Theft Auto was more likely to be a bad influence on ghetto children than their suburban counterparts feels he has been mistreated by Jon Stewart and The Daily Show.

As reported by GamePolitics, Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) was roasted by Stewart on the June 22nd episode of The Daily Show.

An article in today's Chester Daily Local reports that Pitts contends his remarks at the June 14th hearing of the House Subcomittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection were mis-portrayed by Stewart.

During the subcommittee's period of opening remarks on June 14th, Pitts said, "It's safe to say that a wealthy kid from the suburbs can play 'Grand Theft Auto' without turning to a life of crime, but a poor kid who lives in a neighborhood where people really do shoot cops and steal cars and deal drugs might not be so fortunate. There's almost certainly a child somewhere in the America who is going to be hurt by this game. Maybe his dad is in jail or his big brother is already down on the corner dealing drugs."

After Rep. Pitts' remarks were aired on The Daily Show, host Jon Stewart commented, "Seriously, the House of Representatives is filled with insane jackasses."

In a statement, Pitts responded, "I regret that Comedy Central's 'Daily Show' portrayed my words the way they did. I believe that gratuitously violent video games are inappropriate for all children. However hard it may be to prove their effect in any given instance, tragedies like the killings at Columbine High School and more recent events closer to home clearly show that children from every neighborhood and income level can and do get into trouble - sometimes quite seriously."

Democrat Lois Herr, who is running against Pitts in November, expressed her own concerns about video game violence, but, through an intermediary, called Pitts' subcommittee remarks "an embarrassment."

"Lois agrees that we need to be concerned about the effect of violent video games on our children," said her press director. "However, we must be careful not to stereotype people by their economic class or place of residence. She is, frankly, embarrassed for the 16th District that Rep. Pitts' statements at a public hearing seemed to do just that... he has apparently lost touch with his constituency."

GP: It's unfair for Rep. Joe Pitts to blame the host of The Daily Show for any embarrassment Pitts' own words caused himself - and his re-election campaign. Stewart certainly didn't misquote Pitts; the Comedy Central show host simply let the video tape roll.

Readers can view the Daily Show episode in question here.

Want to talk about it? You can discuss this story via the "comments" feature (click below), or in the new GamePolitics Forums...

Tags: congress, democrats, game violence, joe pitts, jon stewart, lois herr, repubicans

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  • 57 comments

[info]beardoggx

July 8 2006, 15:56:05 UTC 5 years ago

McMahonisms #1 and #2

Jon Stewart didn't embarrass Joe Pitts.

Joe Pitts embarrassed Joe Pitts.

Dennis McCauley never "censored" Jack Thompson, Jack Thompson "censored" Jack Thompson.

[info]ianc14

July 8 2006, 17:15:55 UTC 5 years ago

Re: McMahonisms #1 and #2

That says it all really :)

[info]cyberskull

5 years ago

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[info]mrpat___

July 8 2006, 16:27:12 UTC 5 years ago

I think I can sum this up in three words:

Ha. Ha. and, HA!

[info]nightwng2000

July 8 2006, 16:39:10 UTC 5 years ago

Re: I think I can sum this up in three words:

That's four words.

nightwng2000

[info]arsnof

5 years ago

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[info]bayushisan

July 8 2006, 16:33:29 UTC 5 years ago

I always find it funny when a politician says something like that and then tries to deny it. I wish just once one of them would say yeah I said that I was a jackass. I think it would go a long way toward us seeing them as human.

[info]nightwng2000

July 8 2006, 16:44:05 UTC 5 years ago

More "I'm not responsible for my actions" politicians.

"I regret that Comedy Central's 'Daily Show' portrayed my words the way they did."

Translation:
Waa Waa... I said things out loud and front of other people but I didn't want people ot hear them. Waa Waa... Just because I said those things, it's Jon Stewart's fault I looked like an ignorant baffoon. Waa Waa... Jon Stewart is inappropriate for children.

nightwng2000

[info]traiklin

July 8 2006, 16:44:30 UTC 5 years ago

so in the end he is taking the congressmans role on video games?

"it's not MY fault I said those things, The video games made me do it!"

[info]sans_galois

July 17 2006, 17:16:30 UTC 5 years ago

Have you ever seen the movie Shower?

Your icon reminds me of it...

[info]kyouryuu

July 8 2006, 16:57:16 UTC 5 years ago

What's wrong, Mr. Pitts? Afraid of criticism? Annoyed that someone shined the spotlight on your ignorance? Perturbed at the public watching you do your job?

Stewart didn't say it and didn't "portray" it. You did.

You clearly have too much time on your hands, to be arguing about things like this and, oh yes, the Ten Commandments in the courthouse debacle. That was you, right?

[info]grimm24

July 8 2006, 17:05:47 UTC 5 years ago

I dont see what the big deal about his comment was :|

Is that just me or somthing? Am I reading it wrong?!?

I mean he's pretty much right.

[info]m0lim0

July 8 2006, 17:45:03 UTC 5 years ago

He said that a wealthy person isn't going to go commit a crime, whereas a person living in the ghetto would. Sure, that's the truth a lot of the time, but it isn't because of the influence of video games like he was trying to say. More things such as the environment the person lives in come into play there.

That, and I took it as him saying that people who have money are better people than those that don't.

[info]bigman_k

5 years ago

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[info]grimm24

5 years ago

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[info]gray17

5 years ago

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[info]zippydsmlee

5 years ago

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[info]jackvsdavid

5 years ago

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[info]sabin_blitz

5 years ago

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[info]beardoggx

5 years ago

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[info]mogo_the_mugger

5 years ago

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[info]ace_of_sevens

5 years ago

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[info]sleepchamber

July 8 2006, 17:11:26 UTC 5 years ago

I really do wonder why we have politicians to carefully pick their words so they can diplomatically run our country if they can't even take responsibility for their own words. This happens all the time, why don't they just own up to it and act mature. No one believes it's out of context.

[info]terminator44

July 8 2006, 17:17:39 UTC 5 years ago

Sounds like another complaint to toss in Ye Olde circular file.

[info]xenosphobatic

July 8 2006, 17:29:24 UTC 5 years ago

Ahhh, politicians. Trying to back out even when the hammer's already fallen.

[info]kajex

July 8 2006, 19:35:57 UTC 5 years ago

Oh boo-freakin'-hoo. He should know that when he takes parts in debates like this that might be considered controversial or in a situation where you spend tax-dollars on stupid crap like the legislation they CLAIMED was different but wasn't, that he's going to take flak from it from SOMEBODY. In his case, his wording was so retarded and ignorant without excuse that it happened to reach the eyes and ears of Comedy Central and they slapped him in the face by doing nothing more than pressing play on the VCR so he could hear his own words.

The problem with him is that he thinks he hasn't said anything wrong, and like Lois Herr said, no matter what side of the debate he was on, the way he said it was stereotypical and insensitive, and that makes his ignorance much worse.

[info]gabrielcelesta

July 8 2006, 19:47:02 UTC 5 years ago

Sorry, Mr. Pitts, but they play what you say.

The Daily Show played the footage of Mr. Pitts's comments and he says they mis-portrayed his words? (*solemnly shaking my head*)

"I regret that Comedy Central's 'Daily Show' portrayed my words the way they did. I believe that gratuitously violent video games are inappropriate for all children. However hard it may be to prove their effect in any given instance, tragedies like the killings at Columbine High School and more recent events closer to home clearly show that children from every neighborhood and income level can and do get into trouble - sometimes quite seriously."

I think Mr. Pitts should actually regret saying those particular words on June 14th. The above statements don't change the fact that he made that ridiculous generalization.

"Lois agrees that we need to be concerned about the effect of violent video games on our children," said her press director. "However, we must be careful not to stereotype people by their economic class or place of residence. She is, frankly, embarrassed for the 16th District that Rep. Pitts' statements at a public hearing seemed to do just that... he has apparently lost touch with his constituency."

I don't blame Lois Herr for how she felt. I wouldn't want someone like Joe Pitts to run things either if he were to make such haphazard comments...

[info]jdmdsp911

July 8 2006, 20:47:53 UTC 5 years ago

"It's safe to say that a wealthy kid from the suburbs can play 'Grand Theft Auto' without turning to a life of crime, but a poor kid who lives in a neighborhood where people really do shoot cops and steal cars and deal drugs might not be so fortunate. There's almost certainly a child somewhere in the America who is going to be hurt by this game. Maybe his dad is in jail or his big brother is already down on the corner dealing drugs."

Ahh out of the mouths of idiots. You see Rep. Pitts, You stated those words yourself. Jon Stewart played the clip of you saying those words. The only person who harmed you is......you.

"However hard it may be to prove their effect in any given instance..."

Hey Rep. Pitts, there is a reason for that. 100 million worldwide reasons.

I regret that you and Rick Santorum represent the great State of Pennsylvania. The two of you are an embarrassment.

[info]enmitywithin

July 8 2006, 21:12:50 UTC 5 years ago

this guy is funny.

it's a shame these games are for children, children that are adults. because technically they are still children.

And just for mentioning columbine, this guy should be exiled.

columbine happened because of kids that were troubled and bullied and manipulated.

Just from that Pitts has said in reply, I think it's safe to say we have a price of dignity, the money these congressman are being paid, because lord knows he just got rid of the last of his dignity.

[info]gray17

July 9 2006, 05:31:29 UTC 5 years ago

Re: this guy is funny.

Actually the Daily Show mentioned Columbine first. They were pointing out the ridiculousness of the claim that "a wealthy kid from the suburbs" given that kids from the suburbs were the ones responsible for Columbine.

[info]grombar

5 years ago

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[info]otakuman

July 8 2006, 21:31:26 UTC 5 years ago

Is the season over for Daily Show or not?

Because if it's not, I would love to see Jon Stewart give a comeback to what people say about his (And Comedy Central's) portrayal of his words.

AND see them do more coverage on the video game issue. :D

THAT would be awesome.

~Otaku-Man

[info]jdsalmon

July 8 2006, 23:56:17 UTC 5 years ago

Re: Is the season over for Daily Show or not?

http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_schedule/index.jhtml?seriesId=11608

The show doesn't really have seasons, but the crew takes breaks here & there. According to that ComCen webpage, there's a new ep on Monday.

[info]premo_maggot

5 years ago

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[info]rhanlav

July 8 2006, 22:30:06 UTC 5 years ago

You know, of all the news organizations out there, I trust the Daily Show's 'fake news' more than 'real news'. They point out the absurdity of EVERYTHING. No one is beyond their reach to poke fun at. They've made fun of everyoen, and you know what, if you're gunna be an 'insane jackass' on C-Span, well damnit, don't bash people for actually making fun of you for saying stuff ON TV.

Its not like they just singled him out either. The one guy who watched his sons play video games and he was 'helpless' to stop them. Yeah, you know what, Jon Stewart had it right. Those jackasses are insane. And people wonder why government is so screwed up right now.

[info]joystickgenie

July 9 2006, 09:20:17 UTC 5 years ago

You’re not alone there. I read somewhere that the daily show has become the most popular source for new events on television. The previous holder was weekend update from SNL

I wish I could remember where I read that so it doesn’t seem like I’m just pulling this out of my ass.

[info]semperar

5 years ago

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[info]i_love_catgirls

July 9 2006, 02:42:32 UTC 5 years ago

Omg. There's a documentary on the History Channel right now about comic books, and about halfway into it they start talking about the paranoia regarding "comic books destroying our children." EVERYTHING THEY'RE SAYING HAS PARALLELS TO WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY. "Unprecedented levels of violence," "Glorification of crime," etc.

[info]jesdk

July 9 2006, 13:47:32 UTC 5 years ago

Gotta love ignorant media-outlets. ;)

[info]terminator44

5 years ago

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[info]m0lim0

5 years ago

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[info]i_love_catgirls

5 years ago

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[info]dustin1986

5 years ago

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[info]sigma_7

5 years ago

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[info]grls_r_gamers_2

July 9 2006, 17:36:03 UTC 5 years ago

The REAL reason America's going down the crapper...

..isn't because video games are corrupting the youth. It's because we've got idiots like Rep. Arm-Pitts running the country.

[info]glassandahalf

July 10 2006, 00:07:57 UTC 5 years ago

What a gronk.

I actually saw that, and knew what he was probably trying to say, it just came out in one of the most ignorant and generalised forms ive ever seen. Welcome to the world of being a politician, Pitt, where people are consistantly writing down and video recording everything you say, verbatim. Next time, check yourself before you say something else retardedly incorrect.

[info]jbourrie

July 10 2006, 17:24:53 UTC 5 years ago

"Seriously, the House of Representatives is filled with insane jackasses."

Edit:

"Seriously, the House of Representatives is filled with insane jackasses with no sense of humor."

Better.

[info]pantless_fury

July 10 2006, 19:20:05 UTC 5 years ago

What he said wasn't politically correct, but it's true. Poor people are more likely to commit crimes. The video game aspect is of course untrue, but the overall statement is true.

[info]gamepolitics

July 11 2006, 10:58:14 UTC 5 years ago

he didn't say "Poor people are more likely to commit crimes, a sociological truism that has been known for a long, long time.

He related the effects of video game comparatively to poor and well-off kids. He has zero factual basis for that.

After embarrassing himself in this fashion, hopefully he'll show up better prepared next time.

[info]pantless_fury

5 years ago

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[info]gamepolitics

5 years ago

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[info]pantless_fury

5 years ago

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[info]radink

July 11 2006, 11:01:36 UTC 5 years ago

Joe Pitts is a moron.

[info]startropics

July 11 2006, 11:05:12 UTC 5 years ago

Congrats GP, IGN considers you a news source.

IGN: Jon Stewart Hurts Congressman's Feelings

They source your article for it.

[info]gamepolitics

July 11 2006, 12:15:23 UTC 5 years ago

Re: Congrats GP, IGN considers you a news source.

Ah, thanks.

We get sourced quite a bit, actually. Pretty regularly in the video game press by GameSpot, IGN, GamaSutra, Next Gen, Game Daily Biz, Kotaku, Joystiq and a number of smaller blog sites.

We've also been mainstreamed a bunch of times. See here for just a few of those: http://www.gamepolitics.com/about.htm

[info]muhammed

July 11 2006, 13:15:16 UTC 5 years ago

This could be a good thing

I'm sure a lot of the politicians that were on that subcomittee probably didn't care what they said in there. They probably figured no one's going to pick up on it, but the Daily Show calling him out like that and Pitt's pathetic attempt to cover his ass might just finally show the politicians that there are a lot of people who are following this issue. Plus the Daily Show commands a rather large audience.

[info]lorderiks

July 21 2006, 14:33:54 UTC 5 years ago

I really wish people would stop bringing up Columbine as a way to reference violence in video games. It was never proven that it was the “cause” or even played a part considering almost EVERY computer at that time had Doom installed.
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