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Dr. Phil Blames Video Games for Virginia Tech Massacre!

April 18, 2007 in News comments 9

Another person who blames the crime on video games. Like I said before, video games cannot be blamed. I play the games to release stress and forget about my problems. Also to perform activities that I cannot do in real life or perform activies that I won't get arrested for.

In the wake of yesterday’s horrific shootings at Virginia Tech, gadfly attorney Jack Thompson was not the only one who was quick to place blame on violent video games.

Noted T.V. shrink Dr. Phil McGraw appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live last night to discuss the rampage. During the course of the program, the following exchange took place:

LARRY KING: Why, though - OK, you want to kill someone, you’re crazed, you’re a little nuts, girlfriend drops you, why do you kill innocent people?… Dr. McGraw, are they treatable?

DR. PHIL: Well, Larry, every situation is different… The question really is can we spot them. And the problem is we are programming these people as a society. You cannot tell me - common sense tells you that if these kids are playing video games, where they’re on a mass killing spree in a video game, it’s glamorized on the big screen, it’s become part of the fiber of our society. You take that and mix it with a psychopath, a sociopath or someone suffering from mental illness and add in a dose of rage, the suggestibility is too high.

And we’re going to have to start dealing with that. We’re going to have to start addressing those issues and recognizing that the mass murders of tomorrow are the children of today that are being programmed with this massive violence overdose.
ITANI via gamepolitics.com »
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  • 1
    Chaos Swordsman Apr 18, 07
    Dr. Phil's been listening to Jack Thompson too much.
    • 0
      Vermillion Apr 19, 07
      He has been playing with Sony products lately, IMO.

      I bet Dr. Phil doesn't even have a proof.
  • 0
    dmf_dynasty Apr 18, 07
    I like it how he didn't make it just video games, but still, that's messed up. Most games are in war or with specially trained people in armor. Video games would only influence the person if he was already crazy and running around in metal pots and pans(armor) after playing paintball(war training). If he was already crazy however, he shouldn't have access to pots, pans, paint, balls, or guns.
    Thus, Dr. Phil and Jack Thompson are flawed.
  • 0
    RhasiirTheArcher Apr 18, 07
    I think they are only blaming it on videogames because the guy was asian. Stereotypists. Besides, the worst they do is De-sensitize to violence, not cause anger.
  • 0
    Kokoro Apr 18, 07
    First Jack Thompson, now Dr. Phil? This is just crazy.
  • 0
    Gotenks* Apr 19, 07
    It's just stupid. It's not the video games fault. It's the persons fault. It was their own actions. I don't ever remember any GTA game saying or forcing me to kill some one in real life.
  • 0
    ITANI Apr 19, 07
    Eviently Gotenks because if you did you wouldn't be here.
  • 0
    Paynie Apr 19, 07
    I agree with him, he's not saying video games should be banned. He's just saying that for people already troubled with mental illness and the likes, playing a violent video game can be the "key" that unlockes the hidden mad-man within.

    - Payn
  • 0
    Final Blade Apr 21, 07
    your kidding me right i just got done with this same thing with the other. Dr.Phil is a loser. he has mental problems, and he needs meds, if he isnt taking any now. i mean you cant blame a game. i have listen to rap with explicit lyrics, played games with violence and watched movies with violence do you see me killing anyone no. oh and Paynie dont agree with him he's just as loony as Cho. Cho's a nut case anyway. look at the site it says he had mental problems. and was taking medication for it. he's just trying to justify his actions. and if by doing so gets MS or bill sued he'll do it. he's a BS artist. he and Jack Thompson are talking crap as usual. your going to believe he did the shooting cause of his GF dumping him yea right. he needs to be glad he had one in the first place. thats not even a reason. they need to stop talking crap. Cho needs to say im a crazy killing pyscho that hates ppl. he goes to jail and becomes some big bear man butt buddy, or something. blaming videogames is stupid. its like the same BS stuff with Imus. after 30 or plus years of making explicit jokes. he's says one thing now and gets fired. WTH, NBC are hypocrites. and now cause of that there blaming rap music, oh come on. rap music isnt the problem. its the ppl stupid enough to say it at the wrong time and place thats the problem. and please playing videogames when mentally ill is stupid. how can you let him do it anyway. im surprised he had the mental compassity to actually comprehend the game. another example how he isnt ill, just a killing psycho. man i would love to ream both phil and jack butts on the air.

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