Maine politician criticized for playing World of Warcraft

[malinghi]

Colleen Lachowicz is a candidate for state senate in Maine. Recently she's been attacked over the fact that she's an avid WoW player. I feel like it's kinda relevant to mermaiding in that she's being force to defend something she does for fun that has no bearing on her qualification for office just because its seen as weird and geeky. I think a lot of people in this community can identify with that.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/10/candidate-for-maine-state-senate-attacked-for-warcraft-character/

[SilverSiren]

I see anyone who criticizes stuff like mermaiding and playing video games as the weird ones. I mean, c'mon, in this day and age, things are weird, people do what they want to do and have passions for things that care about and don't hide it like they used to. Funky colored hair, tattoos, being gay, piercings everywhere, tech geeks, game geeks, mermaids, dress how ever you feel like it, it doesn't make you any less of the person you are behind those loves and passions, why can't society as a whole just get over it, move on, and get with the times already? The people who look at others as if they are weird are becoming the weird themselves, not to mention intolerant and ignorant looking. That politician would have a vote from me! I'm sure a lot of other people now, especially the youth, feel like they can identify with a politician for once. Personally, I think she is a smart lady, she just reached out to a ever growing demographic that soon will be (if not already) becoming the majority in the world.

[Nate Walis]

If you ever wanted proof that the Republican mindset is out of touch and focussed on the supposedly negative aspects of what for the vast majority of people are perfectly normal and harmless passtimes, there it is. What amuses me the most is the fact that you delve under the surface with people on the right of the political spectrum and inevitably find them up to their armpits in sleeze, bribes and things that actually harm other human beings. But to them a Democrat who plays a computer game is somehow the one who should be considered unfit for public office, which should sound to any sane person like the most insane idea possible.

[Kanti]

If you ever wanted proof that the Republican mindset is out of touch and focussed on the supposedly negative aspects of what for the vast majority of people are perfectly normal and harmless passtimes, there it is. What amuses me the most is the fact that you delve under the surface with people on the right of the political spectrum and inevitably find them up to their armpits in sleeze, bribes and things that actually harm other human beings. But to them a Democrat who plays a computer game is somehow the one who should be considered unfit for public office, which should sound to any sane person like the most insane idea possible.

^ You seriously took the words right out of my mouth xD
I love what a huge deal they're making about someone playing VIDEOGAMES. Like, seriously? What harm
has that done anyone? Is that really the best dirt they could've gotten on her?
MEANWHILE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY...
Everyone takes big business bribes, church tax-free money, and dodges taxes xD

[ShyMer]

Hey, everybody's mud slinging now, not just republicans. Just saying.

[Nate Walis]

Hey, everybody's mud slinging now, not just republicans. Just saying.

Mud-slinging is going on on all sides, but only a Republican could be this far out of touch with both reality and popular culture.

[Alveric]

I'm not a Republican, but I am to the right of center politically. I have no objection to WoW, unless they're playing when they should be doing the people's business.

Politicians of all stripes will use whatever dirt they think will stick. When I was running for office, somebody hacked our website and put up a bunch of anti-Semitic garbage. I doubt that was the reason I lost, but I was so disgusted I quit politics for good.

[Blondie]

Booo... Politics is such a joke anymore.

Soon it's going to be, "Don't buy that car because it's Asian." and "Oh my God! Can you believe they ordered CHINESE take out!?"

[Ashe]

Oh, come on! That is so stupid! Just let the woman do what she wants and get over yourselves people! It really shouldnt be a big deal if someone plays World of Warcraft! :(

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

I hope someone has sent this politician (and the Maine GOP) this video... the ted talk by Jane McGonigal is pretty awesome in regards to the benefits of WoW and gaming for our culture. Have you all seen it?
http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html