admited gamer becomes mayor

[Meier Link]

just figured i would throw this out there

19 year-old gamer becomes mayor of Oklahoma town
Teen goes from zoning out to zoning laws
By Ben Silverman
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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.

source
http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/...a-town/1215787

[Mike]

While that is cool, have you ever been to oklahoma? I live here and that may be the only cool thing to happen in this state.....ever. even the beer here sucks.

This state is the buckle of the bible belt. Until late 2006 Tattoos were actually illegal. The only reason the state legislation legalized them was because there were too many unlicensed shops and tattoo artists operating and people were getting infections. The whole state is run by closed minded bible thumping conservative traditionalists. I really hope that guy can help change the mindset of Oklahoma politicians.

[Mr Spike]

Hope for us all yet!!

[Meier Link]

yeah mike you might want to check my location out under my user name haha. so yes i know exactly what you are talking about.

[Usagy]

Less Taxes for you if you perform a monster-kill on the streets?
Not surprised that he games, but the age for being a mayor is pretty shocking O_o; that's young..damn.

Peace out

[Rocky]

Although at first I was expecting this whole thing to be some kind of big joke, that is pretty cool that the kid got a chance to become a mayor of a decent sized town. Definitely something to put on a resume after college, if you ask me. Even though it seems highly unlikely to happen, I bet it is pretty believable if the town was unhappy with the current situation, plus him versus a 70-year old man, any baby boomer and adult under the age of 45 would most likely vote for him, especially since he seems to have strong goals for the city, so good for him.

[Dimi]

Haha. This is pretty awesome. Based on what this article is saying, it does sound like he has some great plans concerning Oklahoma. I don't live out there but it would suck living around a bunch of conservative and close-minded people. People like that just need to chill and breathe. ^^

Anyways, the age of him running is a bit shocking. If he were to win, he'd be the youngest mayor considered in U.S. History right?

EDIT: Shame on me for not knowing my history. I googled it up...

Jeffery Dunkel, Mount Carbon Pennsylvania, elected in 2003 at age 18.
Sam Juhl, Rowland Iowa, elected in 2005 at age 18.
Christopher Seeley, Linesville Pennsylvania, elected 2005 at age 18.

Brian Zimmerman was elected mayor of Crab Texas in 1983 at the age of 11. Texas law prohibited persons under the age of 18 from serving as mayor, which lead to the movie, Lone Star Kid.

SOURCE

Woah...

[Walter Sobchak]

The reason politicians don't play video games is because they don't have time. Mayors don't really do anything, but if he keeps going, he will have to give up Halo 3.

I want to run for mayor now. It is enough to win on novelty alone.