Republicans out Democrat in 'World of Warcraft' witch hunt

NBC News ^ | October 4, 2012 | Winda Benedetti

[presidio9]

Colleen Lachowicz is a Democratic candidate running for State Senate in Maine. She's also a level 85 orc in the massively popular online game "World of Warcraft." And for that, the Republican party says she is unfit for office.

Maine's GOP has accused Lachowicz of living a "bizarre double life" and set up a website meant to out her participation in the popular online game -- a game that currently boasts some 10 million players around the world.

Not only does the website show off a picture of the orc character she plays -- named Santiaga -- it also displays comments that have been dug up from online forums in which Lachowicz talks about her love of the (sometimes violent) game as well as her thoughts on various political topics.

Among the comments the website attributes to her:

"So I'm a level 68 orc rogue girl. I stab things . . . a lot. Who would have thought that a peace-lovin', social worker and democrat would enjoy that?!"

"I can kill stuff without going to jail. There are some days when this is more necessary than others."

"I'm so jealous! I wish I wasn't at work. I'd much rather be gaming with my guildies!"

Lachowicz also appears to refer to members of the Tea Party as, well, teabaggers.

"In Colleen’s online fantasy world, she gets away with crude, vicious and violent comments like the ones below," reads the website. "Maine needs a State Senator that lives in the real world, not in Colleen’s fantasy world."

Meanwhile, Maine's Republican Party has also sent out a press release titled: "Democratic Senate Candidate Colleen Lachowicz's Disturbing Alter-Ego Revealed" which accuses her of living a "time-consuming double life." The party has also sent out post cards that,

[GunRunner]

Your opinion, valid or not, it essentially meaningless. On the political Richter Scale, it's not even measurable. However, when those associated with the Maine GOP take the same position, it's a different ballgame.

Absolutely right, and thank God for that. I'm not bound by the rules of electoral politics and therefore I don't have to kiss the asses of potential voters or worry about alienating the Association of Thumb Twiddlers or the League of Crossdressers.

A politician may have to pretend that all hobbies and interests are the same, but since I live in the real world I don't have to pretend that being a 9th level Archmage online and being a marathon runner are equally useful achievements.

We could argue all day if mountain biking is equivocal to video gaming...

Why would we argue such a thing? The answer to me is quite clear. The very fact that there are people who think that mountain biking and playing video games are equally healthy and useful makes me understand why this country has an obesity problem and is full of fat single men who can't get laid.

[Nowhere Man]

The 105mm Howitzer (DERP) rocks with the Sherman. I have a M103, Tiger II, etc, but still play mine.

I have an M3 Stuart (both US and Soviet Lend Lease versions), an M5 Stuart with 75mm howitzer, a French B1 (a slug until you get the mid grade engine, an M3 Lee and a T57 SPG. I researched the basic Sherman but need the credits to buy one. I'm also eying the US T7 which I researched too.

[Nowhere Man]

First, full disclosure. I am a lifelong gamer. I've been playing literally since Pong.

Me too, we must be near the same age, I'm 46. I'm a typical nerd myself, I enjoy gaming both online and RPG's as well as hold an amateur radio license. Also, into science fiction, we try our best to live by the rule, "if you don't wiz on my tree, I won't wiz on yours." I believe as long as it does not hurt your family life or career, a hobby is a good thing to have and to relax to. I love World of Tanks, but I only do a few to several rounds at a time.

[Melas]

I wouldn’t be so sure. There have been several recent studies that have shown that video games are not only extremely effective at building and maintaining mental adroitness, but may help stave off Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia as well.

Granted, exercise is also important. One British study found that gamers had the eyes and reflexes on par with that of fighter pilots, but the lung function of elderly chain smokers. Obviously gamers with physical hobbies as well, aren’t going to suffer from that deficit.

I don’t get the animosity towards video games. I love video games, and play a great many genres. Everything from Call of Duty to Arkham City to Skyrim. I also mountain bike, take pictures, write poetry and fictional prose. Any and every hobby is bad when it becomes a singular fixation.

I have a shooting buddy who I can only take in small doses because his whole life revolves around guns, guns, and only guns. And women, which is a pity because while he lacks one, he’s never going to get one with his one track mind.

[Melas]

Yep. I’m 48. I grew up with video games. Visits to the arcade, home games systems that started with a simple tank/pong console from Sears to the Atari 2600 to the Xbox-360 I have now. That and slew of gaming PC’s from a lowly XT that played Infocom games to the liquid cooled monster I have now.

[JediJones]

I kinda feel like it’s old GOPers trying to grab at any straw they can to get a leg up on the opposition, and being too out-of-touch with younger people to realize how many they might turn off by bashing the game. I doubt they know much if anything about the game, they just figured they could make it sound “weird and scary” in ads to use as a wedge.