I’m never first to the table, so I’m sure you’ve already heard. I first heard it on Be Mop. You can also find an article at the WoW Insider.
Colleen Lackowicz is a is running for a State Senate spot in Maine. However, the Republican Party ran an attack emphasizing that she is a WoW Player! No, I’m not linking the attack
Ok, she is a Rogue. Does anyone like Rogues? She should have rolled a Hunter!
Anyway, I find this whole thing really sticking in my craw.
For full disclosure, I’m a Texan. I tend to vote Republican.
Does that shock anyone?
What the Main Republican party is doing is surreal! I just don’t get it.
I would hate to be attacked based on my WoW playing. Can you imagine the “Huntard” jokes playing the airwaves? How many times have any of us said something in jest, that someone else will spin into something it wasn’t?
What about our WoW specific language? As one person already pointed out “Progressive” in WoW means something different than in our polarized political climate.
In my gut, I feel that the Main Republican Party is wrong in what they are doing.
Can I just be honest and say, contemporary politics are getting more and more absurd?
I wonder if they ever met Stephen Gillett. He is in leadership at Best Buy, and had been the CIO of Starbucks. Apparantly, playing WoW has been a plus for him!
And finally, I want to leave you with this Colbert Video of Jane McGonigal. She also believes that gaming has positive effects in the real world.
WordPress doesn’t allow the video to be viewed in the blog, so you have to just click the link and see it on the Colbert website.
Here are Colleen Lachowics social/websites.
Main Website: www.colleenlachowicz.com and Facebook
I’ve been unable to find a paypal button to give to her campaign.
If someone figures out where to send a check, please let me know.
Z
A Texas Republican donating to a Maine Democrat! There must be a God, because that’s a miracle!
On the serious side, it’s just sad how toxic the rhetoric has become, when something like this can take place. I mean, what if she was a poker player? What would they do with that.
It can be difficult, but usually use WoWheads can come together regardless of affiliation, because we can see the humanity in each other rather than the political affiliations. That’s as it should be. Others should take the example of WoW players in this regard.
If I were looking for a place to donate, I imagine DailyKos.com would be a good place to look for a starting place. They tend to get the ball rolling over there.
Here’s the best part, though. The angle I haven’t heard anyone taken.
Voter turnout among young people has never been perfect, or even solid (at least here in Canada…I can’t imagine the greater United States being all that different). The average demographic for WoW is still the younger generation. Why not tap into that instead of ATTACKING it?
Let’s face it, most of the gamers aren’t going to see what the issue is. Those of us who are more politically aware than others STILL aren’t going to see what the issue is. Of course we’re going to side with Colleen. Particularly when the Republicans are attacking with ignorance. You said it yourself, they’re applying real world terms like social and progressive in a means they don’t even remotely apply in gaming. So not only do they look bad for doing it, the WoW populace knows they look ridiculously ignorant in the process.
I agree. Colleen has a particular opportunity here. I think it would behoove her to get someone in the WoW community making inroads for her. I bet there are some WoW players in Maine, that can vote for her. Not only that, but any gamer of voting age can have a good reason for voting for her.
Let’s face it. The charges against her can be leveled against anyone in the general gaming community.
Voting turnout of young adults in the US has been very low thru the years. The only notable exception was 2008. The problem is, the promises of change that brought them out haven’t been sufficiently met. Thus, there is a very good chance of a low (back to normal) turnout for this same demographic. If they hack the gamers off bad enough, that might lead to Main being the only State with a different experience this year. (IMO)
Z
I’m a guildmate of Colleen’s. She is not accepting donations because she has pledged to the Clean Elections Campaign.
However, if you’re willing to overcome your Republican scruples and donate to the state Democratic campaign in her name, we’ve set up a webpage where you can do that.
https://secure.actblue.com/page/santiaga
As long as you promise I won’t end up on a mailing list!
Z