I agree with Mr. Last on his final point. Culture is going to only get worse. But not because it's destined to.

Instead, it will get worse because as a culture we have shown little will to turn away from the degrading, the corrupt and the shameful.

Grand Theft Auto IV is just the latest in a series of tiny cuts that, combined, will eventually bleed out our last measure of humanity.

Can we change this course? Yes.

Will we? Hard to see how.

Culture may be getting worse, but ignoring contributing factors is no justification for allowing them to persist and increase. Just because adult movies coarsen and degrade our society is no justification to allow more and worse influences.

I see a significant difference between games and movies in their influence on people. Let me draw an analogy. In previous wars and conflicts, only about 15% of antagonists actually fired their weapons at opposing forces. Then, in training, targets were changed from simple bullseye targets to human silhouettes. As a result, the number of people who shot at opposing forces substantially increased.

With video games, people have the opportunity to not simply view others in acts of mayhem or immoral acts, but can actually make decisions as to whether they will commit these acts. The Army has decided that combat simulations are effective training tools; they have posted their own simulation on line in influence others to join the Army. Flight simulators alone have been used to qualify 747 pilots. Simulators are effective.

I hope those subjected to the added crime and moral decay resulting from these movies and violent games will sue these companies for their hidden costs inflicted upon society.