This morning, certain members of Congress are probably hoping their constituents don't watch The Daily Show.

Host Jon Stewart laid comic waste to a June 14th Congressional video game hearing in a lengthy segment titled "Player Haters" on last night's show. You can view the program here.

Some Stewart highlights:

"Violent video games were the latest target of Washington's election year ire. Hearings were held to... what, exactly?"

"Who wants to be the first person to sound like an out of touch jackass? Oh, you! Congressman Upton..." (Rep. Fred Upton R-MI)

Mimicking Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry's halting declaration that he was concerned about the game play of his three young sons, Stewart said:

"...and as I... stand there... watching them play these violent games... helpless to do anything about it... I can't help but wonder... where the system has failed..."

Stewart also mocked Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) who, in a bizarre opening statement at the hearing, opined that well-to-do suburban kids "can play Grand Theft Auto or similar games without turning to a life of crime but a poor kid who lives in a neighborhood where people really do steal cars or deal drugs... might not be so fortunate."

"Wealthy suburban kids don't do those things," Stewart said, "Like my good friends those Columbine boys... Seriously, the House of Representatives is filled with insane jackasses."

Stewart then cut to a silly stand-up with Daily Show regular Samantha Bee, billed as the programs's "Senior PlayStationologist," reporting from San Andreas. Action from the GTA game was projected behind Samantha as she spoke, saying in part, "Nobody believes there is really a connection (between game violence and real violence). This issue has been resolved in studies. Politicians are just beating a dead hooker here."
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Could video game publishers face the same type of indecency fines to which radio and television broadcasters are already subject?

They will if Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) has his way. Upton expressed frustration with the Federal Trade Commission's Hot Coffee investigation during yesterday's meeting of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, saying, "I guess I thought the FTC would have had some more teeth than they apparently have... I'm not at all happy with the consent decree... In essence there are no consequences. None... I would like to have thought that (Take-Two and Rockstar) would have been able to be fined for millions of dollars for the trash they put out across this country."

As Upton learned from a witness, however, the FTC has no such authority.

After the hearing, Upton told Broadcasting & Cable he is preparing legislation which would allow fines to be levied against video game publishers in much the same way that radio stations were made to pay for the on-air antics of shock jock Howard Stern and T.V. stations for the infamous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction.

"I am going to be looking to write legislation giving the FTC the authority to impose civil penalties," Upton said. "I didn't know that they didn't have the authority. I have made a lot of phone calls - it's like the show Car 54, Where Are You?: FTC, where are you? - and I haven't heard that excuse until today."

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Gamer political activism turns up in the most amazing places these days - like the United States Congress, where elected officials and their staffs have been checking out Halo 2 video blog site This Spartan Life.

Like many others, TSL is concerned that some elected officials in Congress are working with the wealthy telecommunications industry to introduce new laws which threaten so-called "net neutrality."
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As reported on GamePolitics yesterday, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich) today introduced a resolution (H.R. 376) directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether the publisher intentionally deceived the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to avoid an 'Adults-Only' rating.

The resolution, which was approved by a vote of 355 to 21, urges a fine if the FTC finds that there was deception. One member abstained and 56 did not vote.

UPDATE: Here is the roll call vote tally on Rep. Upton's resolution.

Representative Fred Upton (R-Mich) introduced a resolution on Friday for consideration by Congress. If approved, the measure would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to "investigate the publication of the video game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' to determine if the publisher intentionally deceived the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to avoid an 'Adults-Only' rating. "

That publisher, of course, would be none other than Take-Two Interactive.

The resolution, co-sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass) has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.