The game's the thing

Illinois may soon institute state ratings for video games to protect younger players from inappropriate material. Game industry pacs are calling it an infringement of 1st amendment free speech. I call it a good idea - if parents want their children to play the latest Grand Theft Auto, that is their choice, whether or not I agree with it. But a 10 year old shouldn't be able to walk into the local game store and pick it up. Requiring an adult to be the actual purchaser of the game is not a problem. A free speech issue it isn't, and won't be unless adults are prevented from purchasing the game - and it might not be one, then.

Free speech is not carte blanche to say and do whatever you want, it is your right to tell the government what you think about it without being thrown in jail, tortured, and/or executed. It is your right to voice your opinion. It's not a right to say anything that comes into your head. Ever heard of slander and libel? How about the laws (upheld as constitutional by the courts, IIRC) that prevent you from shouting fire in a crowded movie theater? To claim that any and all communication is constitutionally protected goes against reason, logic, and 200 years of precedent.

What would make a game like Grand Theft Auto or the upcoming "The Warriors" protected? Are they social commentary? Not that I can tell - but others may prove me wrong. Are they politically or socially inciteful? Again, I don't see it. But they do make money. By the truckload. Should that be a consideration when deciding what is protected speech? I don't think so.