Military service not a breeding ground for killers
Like most political extremists, Daniel Ruuska characterizes evidence in a way that supports his warped views [“Video Games Helped,” Northwest Voices, April 8].
First, the 2005 University of Michigan study was more than a bit light in its statistical base: A total of 39 male undergraduates were sampled. The study is suggestive, but generalizing to a larger population without further research is irresponsible.
Second, the best way to breed anti-social behavior —especially in male children —is to raise them without a present and responsible father figure who could discourage addictive behavior of all kinds. It is difficult to be a good parent these days, but decades of research have shown that an effective sociological father is a key to raising responsible adults.
Third, the military service does use video games as a recruiting tool, but it is simply employing current technology to attract the attention of young people it would like to enlist. Modern targeting systems are also high-tech, but they are not “video games.” Service members are trained to use these weapons and instructed on rules of engagement. If they violate those rules, punishment is called for.
Finally, Ruuska claims there is a “killing is fun” mindset needed for military service. Only a psychotic among the millions who have worn the uniform of our country ever had thoughts like that. It is apparent that Ruuska never spent a single day in uniform. He should be ashamed of making that statement.
— Phillip Johnson, Seattle
War, violence existed before first-person shooter video games
In response to Daniel Ruuska’s letter, stating that first-person shooter (FPS) games create the “killing is fun” mindset and that they are responsible for the incident in the Middle East is illogical.
Not only is there no proof that the soldiers in question played these games, the first FPS game widely released was “Wolfenstein 3-D” in 1992. The military has existed for far longer, as have violent assaults upon innocents. An example would be the My Lai Massacre, which occurred in 1968 —24 years before “Wolfenstein” was released and four years before the concept of FPS was invented.
—Alex Halbhuber, Sammamish