Hmm...someone contact Patricia Pulling's old collegues
Seems to me that if we aren't careful about the level of tabloid journalism and reactionary comment this could be the slippery slope to a BAWOW (Bothered about World of Warcraft).
To answer Toni's question directly, it's none of our business that Lachowicz plays WoW, nor is it any comment on how fit for office she is. If anything, I'd vote FOR her because she's effectively been honest enough to go, "yeah, life can be stressful. I take it out on some fantasy monsters online to help be unwind. Keeps me sane"
What if this had been 'The Sims'? Would the GOP have said "Lachowicz's bizaare double life revealed! Parties, ponies, puppies and inane requests for photos from complete strangers!"? If Lachowicz had been playing Battlefield 3 would it have been said that "Lachowicz's bizaare personal war obsession. Are we prepared for another warmonger in office?". gawd forbit that she'd been caught playing VIVA PINATA!!
Really, certain sectors of the US need to get a grip. I'm sure existing politicians enjoy violent or disturbing movies. I'm sure some of them will listen to Rave, Heavy Metal, Punk or other forms of 'fringe' music sometimes associated with less than savoury rumours. Some of them may even play 'violent' sports (boxing, football, martial arts, Ice Hockey, faintball, hunting, fishing....er, that's sometimes considered a bloodsport, by the way). Does this make them unfit? No? Didn't think so.
Videogames are just another form of recreation. They're no more harmful than any other media we consume and no more character-corrupting than any other boardgame or sport.
If we're going to start choosing politicians based on the games they play or the recreations they have we're going to cement the idea that politicians and officials need to lead double-lives and instill in our political system the practices of subterfuge and lies. Given how little we all seem to trust politicians these days I think that would be a damaging path to take.
I shudder to think if she'd been outed as a roleplayer or LARPer!
