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Councilman's 'Mafia Wars' Activity Under (Sensationalist) Scrutiny

by Warren Riddle on September 7, 2010 at 04:30 PM

screenshot from nelson crabb's facebook page, showing mafia wars updates
Media pot-stirrers typically denounce video game violence because of its supposedly negative effects on impressionable children. In California, though, participating in violent games -- even if the violence is only implied -- apparently indicates the presence of dangerous and deep-seated emotional flaws in adults.

California's Merced Sun-Star recently devoted an entire column to the 'Mafia Wars' activity of local city councilman and retired police officer Nelson Crabb. The author seems to believe that Crabb's "association with gore and violence" deserves attention, particularly the appearance of terms like "Street Thug" and "Master Burglar" on Crabb's Facebook page. According to the piece, Crabb's in-game bribes and "Shake Downs" reportedly "even relate to city business." (Crabb should probably keep any 'GTA' activity on the down-low.)

If 'Mafia Wars' truly serves as a signal for social deviance and violent behavior, then we are truly a lost civilization. With over 26 million 'Mafia Wars' psychos currently running rampant through the streets, and an upcoming movie version promising to debilitate millions more, the U.S. may soon be thrust into martial law. Certain nerds and scribes would stand no chance during such an uprising, so -- instead of merely stalking violent social networkers like Crabb -- they should probably start befriending them.

Tags: facebook, gaming, mafiawars, nelson crabb, NelsonCrabb, onlinegaming, socialnetworking, top, videogames, ViolenceInVideoGames

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