[Folcon]

http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/19-yea...ma-town/1215787

This could be the first step toward better gamer representation. Here's hoping.

[Eugine]

I hate articles without dates...

Anyway, update me on when he finishes his first term in office, and we'll see how beneficial that decision was. I expect free college parties? xp!

[Split Infinity]

Quote for lazy people:

Quote

19 year-old gamer becomes mayor of Oklahoma town

Like any red-blooded American teenager, John Tyler Hammons digs rock music, fast cars, video games and...fiscal planning?

Apparently so. The AP reports that the University of Oklahoma freshman trounced 70 year-old Hershel McBride to become the mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma, making it the first city in the nation to be governed by a self-admitted gamer.

But while he could own any of his peers at Halo 3, the fresh-faced leader is turning his sights on cleaning up the town's politics by establishing an independent ethics commission and locking down campaign finance reporting.

"I'm sure the (city) council will work with me on these issues," he said. "I campaigned on this, and this is something I intend to push."

Tired of the same old political shenanigans, the townsfolk are backing their new man.

"He doesn't have the baggage. He doesn't owe anybody anything," said cafe owner Gary Armstrong. "It's sort of a fresh start for Muskogee."

Best known as the subject of country legend Merle Haggard's 1969 hit "Okie from Muskogee," the unassuming city of 38,000 is considered the archetype of virtuous, small town America, a "place where even squares can have a ball."

And now, so can gamers.

[Laharl]

not yet another jack thompon article? i'm disappointed Escout.

i'm trying to think how i could care even less about amercian local politics, i cant...

[TheEnglishman]

A 19 year old? As mayor?
American politics seems strange to me...

[Folcon]

Laharl, on May 29 2008, 07:17 AM, said:

not yet another jack thompon article? i'm disappointed Escout.

i'm trying to think how i could care even less about amercian local politics, i cant...

well if you really want one, I did find more thompson amusment. I'm posting it in his thead.

[Ironsight]

19 years old? Thats pretty odd, most mayors/senators are in their late 30's or 40's. But if he's doing a good job then I guess his age shouldn't matter.

[Golden Legacy]

I think there are two aspects of the article that make it interesting. One, that a 19 year old was elected in such a high position, and the other being that the person in question is a proud gamer.

Either one of those alone would have made the politics unusual, but both? Go figure.

Still, nice to see that the town of Muskogee went for such a change.

[Lightning Star]

Not only that, but it kills the stereotype that teenagers (or at least older ones) don't care about their community and can't run one. I'm interested to see how it turns out.

[Ironsight]

Actually, I don't care about my community that much. It's all gone to hell anyways. Although I'm pretty sure I could run it better than the nutjobs we have now.