Congresstional candidate defends LARPing

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**DarkTraveler777**

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-26862462

Jake Rush, a potential Republican candidate for Congress in Florida, has defended his participation in live-action roleplays (Larps). What does the case say about perceptions of the hobby, asks Aidan Lewis.

Rush was recently "outed" as being part of a roleplaying group, the Mind's Eye Society. Images have been circulated of him wearing black contact lenses and heavy make-up while posing as a vampire. There were also reports he was a leader in a group called the Covenant of the Poisoned Absinthe.

Rush responded by putting out a statement with a picture of him and his wife dressed as superheroes, saying he'd "never hid nor shied away from disclosing my hobby activities". It's "kinda nerdy", he acknowledged, but "bottom line - there is nothing wrong with being a gamer".

Larping has been spreading since the early 1980s, and is most popular in North America and northern Europe. There are various settings, including fantasy, science fiction and horror - and various styles. Some Larps involve battles in woods with latex weapons, others are "parlour Larps" in which those taking part play invented characters in an improvised, private performance. Larpers say the activity is creative and liberating, but lament that they've long been the subject of misperceptions.

"It can be very hard for people on the outside to look in and understand it," says Thomas Miller, creative director at Larping.org. It doesn't help that "Larpers do look silly and can do silly things. And sometimes taken out of context those things can be really destructive to the people that are involved."

Sarah Bowman, an academic and long-time Larper, says the stigma "originates from the fact that we're supposed to stop playing pretend pretty much in our teenage years". She describes Larpers as "geeks", and says they are increasingly accepted in the US and elsewhere. "We're going to see a lot less of the societal shame attached to this kind of activity in the future."

Pollster Steve Mitchell says the revelation could even count in Rush's favour. "Some voters may find it attractive," he says. "Even though his playacting is unreal, at least he's real - he's a real human being that does different things."

And another story linked to by the BBC.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2014/04/the-campaigns-a-stage-and-jake-rush-says-hes-being-attacked-for-merely-acting.html

The campaign's a stage and Jake Rush says he's being attacked for merely acting

@MarcACaputo

Political newcomer Jake Rush says he's being unfairly attacked by Congressman Ted Yoho's campaign over his acting and gamer past. Here's part of his statement:

ALACHUA, Fla., April 1, 2014 -- “As a straight shooter, yes, I play and have played video games, role playing games, board games, Yahtzee, Clue, and I have acted in dozens of theatre productions,” states Jake Rush.

“My undergraduate degree is in the classics, and I have been raised with a deep appreciation for theatre, costumes and art,” continues Jake Rush.

“All my life, I’ve been blessed with a vivid imagination from playing George Washington in elementary school to dressing up as a super hero last Halloween for trick or treaters. Any cursory review of the Internet will show that I have played heroes and villains,” continued Jake Rush.
"I have never hid nor shied away from disclosing my hobby activities. When I was hired at the Sheriff’s
office, I fully disclosed my gaming and theatre background on the application, and these hobbies posed
absolutely no problem or raised any flags. In fact, when applying for undercover work, these hobbies
were considered an advantage, so much so my shift lieutenant nicknamed me ‘Shakespeare’”, continues
Jake Rush.

“I have undergone no less than three background checks in my professional career: when I applied at
the Sheriff’s office, when I applied to the Florida Bar, and when I applied to join the Sheriff’s office again as a reserve officer. I have always been found to be of high moral character and fitness,” says Jake Rush.

“As a practicing Christian, I am deeply offended that the opposing campaign and their supporters would take a gaming and theatre hobby and mischaracterize it,” continued Jake Rush. “The very definition of acting is expressing ideas and thoughts that are not your own, just like I don’t
believe I am MacBeth, which I have played, I am none of the characters,” continued Jake Rush.

“The opposition should be ashamed with their game playing; this is yet another example of the
buffoonery that always follows Ted Yoho. In an attempt to deflect from his moral and political failings,
the opposing campaign shamelessly believes he needs to impugn Jake’s character with innuendo,
misleading photos and gossip,” says campaign manager Remzey Samarrai.

“Clearly, Ted Yoho and his supporters want to talk about anything other than his abysmal congressional
record: a vote to fund Obamacare, a vote for the budget, a vote to cut Veterans benefits, and an
isolationist foreign affairs policy. None of which liberal-libertarian Yoho is addressing,” says Alex Patton, general consultant to the campaign.

“Bottom line - There is nothing wrong with being a gamer. It’s kinda nerdy, but North Central Florida
deserves a legitimate debate on the issues instead of Ted Yoho’s usual sideshow distractions,” concludes Jake Rush.

Is it still the 1980's in Florida or is Monsters and Mazes just airing non-stop in the dong-state? Once more it looks like LARPing (and by association gaming in general) is being linked to the moral worthiness of a person who engages in that activity. Seriously, this is a stupid argument to make and seems designed purely to spook the uninformed who see a guy in SFX contacts and makeup and thinks he murders children as they sleep. But, considering Florida's population demographics, I am sure that argument does resonate with voters, especially the aged ones who don't know about LARPing and likely remember the hysteria over gaming and D&D from the 80's.

Anyone able to guess which Clan he belonged to? Based off the picture below I am thinking Brujah or Ravnos, but maybe he plays as an urban Gangrel.

**LordofHats**

He has my vote... If I voted in Florida.

More power to him (larpers are stilly weird tho

)

**mega_bassist**

That's actually really cool. Glad someone in such a position would come to the defense of LARPers. Awesome

**Frazzled**

DORK!
Sorry couldn't resist.

**Platuan4th**

Frazzled wrote:
DORK!
Sorry couldn't resist.

I was thinking more "ONE OF US! ONE OF US!"

**gorgon**

I dunno. I obviously play wargames and traditional games, and have played regular RPGs in the past. And even to me, LARPing is a different animal. I mean, I do geek stuff, but I just don't have much interest in something that...immersive?

Anyway, if someone like me looks at LARPing as different, it's not really surprising that some other people would find it tremendously weird. And sure, we shouldn't judge others, but really that's what human beings do, all day and every day. Our very own Dakka is a highly judgmental place.

Ultimately, if you don't like having every aspect of your life up for judgment by others, don't run for public office.

**pretre**

gorgon wrote:
I dunno. I obviously play wargames and traditional games, and have played regular RPGs in the past. And even to me, LARPing is a different animal.

Obligatory:

Spoiler:

**Frazzled**

Platuan4th wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
DORK!
Sorry couldn't resist.

I was thinking more "ONE OF US! ONE OF US!"

I don't care about LARPING. I do care about his utter lack of muscle tone. I feel nauseus

**DarkTraveler777**

Frazzled wrote:
Platuan4th wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
DORK!
Sorry couldn't resist.

I was thinking more "ONE OF US! ONE OF US!"

I don't care about LARPING. I do care about his utter lack of muscle tone. I feel nauseus

So maybe he plays as a Toreador then?

**Formosa**

This guy is awesome haha, best of luck to him and also... What the he'll is a a furrie?

**hotsauceman1**

Too bad it is florida, where crazie exist.

**Soladrin**

Formosa wrote:
This guy is awesome haha, best of luck to him and also... What the he'll is a a furrie?

HE DOESNT KNOW. O_O

**hotsauceman1**

pretre wrote:
gorgon wrote:
I dunno. I obviously play wargames and traditional games, and have played regular RPGs in the past. And even to me, LARPing is a different animal.

Obligatory:

Spoiler:

I fit into several of those.

**Desubot**

pretre wrote:
gorgon wrote:
I dunno. I obviously play wargames and traditional games, and have played regular RPGs in the past. And even to me, LARPing is a different animal.

Obligatory:

Spoiler:

So where does table top belong? or did i miss it?

**purplefood**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
pretre wrote:
gorgon wrote:
I dunno. I obviously play wargames and traditional games, and have played regular RPGs in the past. And even to me, LARPing is a different animal.

Obligatory:

Spoiler:

I fit into several of those.

There a sex joke here...
I can sense it.

**Nevelon**

My question is why the rest of the Republican party hasn’t ripped this guy apart and thrown him to the wolves? Particularly in Florida

He’s obviously involved in satanist activities.

/sarcasm

If I lived in Florida, I’d vote for him. Assuming his policies weren’t -total- garbage. But I’ll forgive a lot to get gamers in government.

**hotsauceman1**

Because, they would loose the Larper Vote, The geek vote, the video gamer vote, all that stuff

**d-usa**

Soladrin wrote:
Formosa wrote:
This guy is awesome haha, best of luck to him and also... What the he'll is a a furrie?

HE DOESNT KNOW. O_O

It's a rare sight to see someone so pure on Dakka...

**Ahtman**

d-usa wrote:
Soladrin wrote:
Formosa wrote:
This guy is awesome haha, best of luck to him and also... What the he'll is a a furrie?

HE DOESNT KNOW. O_O

It's a rare sight to see someone so pure on Dakka...

We must make that which is clean unclean. It hurts us to be near such a creature. *hiss*

**d-usa**

Ahtman wrote:
d-usa wrote:
Soladrin wrote:
Formosa wrote:
This guy is awesome haha, best of luck to him and also... What the he'll is a a furrie?

HE DOESNT KNOW. O_O

It's a rare sight to see someone so pure on Dakka...

We must make that which is clean unclean. It hurts us to be near such a creature. *purr*

Fixed that for you

**Formosa**

I Google's it... Why.... It's... Why...

**hotsauceman1**

Imagine when you find out most of your friends are furries

**mega_bassist**

Ahtman wrote:
d-usa wrote:
Soladrin wrote:
Formosa wrote:
This guy is awesome haha, best of luck to him and also... What the he'll is a a furrie?

HE DOESNT KNOW. O_O

It's a rare sight to see someone so pure on Dakka...

We must make that which is clean unclean. It hurts us to be near such a creature. *hiss*

No! Leave him to his innocence!

Formosa wrote:
I Google's it... Why.... It's... Why...

Noooooooooo!!!!!! Too late to save him

**liquidjoshi**

d-usa wrote:
Soladrin wrote:
Formosa wrote:
This guy is awesome haha, best of luck to him and also... What the he'll is a a furrie?

HE DOESNT KNOW. O_O

It's a rare sight to see someone so pure on Dakka...

I don't think we should spoil his innocence... what he don't know...

**Grimskul**

And.....another bites the dust.

**timetowaste85**

I used to love LARP as a teenager, but my friends and I never dressed up, never "got into character," we just sword-fought with foam/pvc weapons. It was great fun, great exercise, honed our reflexes and actually strengthened our bodies and created good balance. Honestly, I can't understand how anyone could have issue with that part of it, as it's a mostly harmless form of exercise. I do think the costume part and vampire side of it are weird, but the swordplay was great. Hell, my dad hates all that fantasy stuff, and when I was a teenager, he joined us and thought it was great for exactly the reasons I listed previously. Good for the congress-dude for backing things like this. Shows that dorkage is semi-mainstream.

**TheAuldGrump**

In Maine we had Colleen Lachowicz - a Democrat that was targeted by The Republican Party of Maine as having 'Disturbing Alter-Ego'.

She plays a level 68 Orc in World of Warcraft.

Shocking, yes?

Her opponent claimed, most likely truthfully, that he had no idea that his party was going to attack her for it - but he still lost the election, in part because of the international publicity that the attack ads generated. The ads were called out by the BBC as well as US papers.

Turns out that folks really don't much care that Colleen plays WoW....

But the best reply came from a Republican - Kari Zielke:

"We may have different political views but I won't stand by while my fellow Horde are treated this way."

I think that we can all get behind her stand on the matter.

The Auld Grump

**Soladrin**

TheAuldGrump wrote:
In Maine we had Colleen Lachowicz - a Democrat that was targeted by The Republican Party of Maine as having 'Disturbing Alter-Ego'.

She plays a level 68 Orc in World of Warcraft.

Shocking, yes?

Her opponent claimed, most likely truthfully, that he had no idea that his party was going to attack her for it - but he still lost the election, in part because of the international publicity that the attack ads generated. The ads were called out by the BBC as well as US papers.

Turns out that folks really don't much care that Colleen plays WoW....

But the best reply came from a Republican - Kari Zielke:

"We may have different political views but I won't stand by while my fellow Horde are treated this way."

I think that we can all get behind her stand on the matter.

The Auld Grump

That is actually quite awesome.

**Gentleman_Jellyfish**

timetowaste85 wrote:
I do think the costume part and vampire side of it are weird, but the swordplay was great.

Why is it weird for him to dress the part of his hobby? We spend obscene amounts of money and time putting small bits of pigments on a model that a normal person would most likely call action figures and barbie dolls, yet dressing the part of a LARP is weird?

**DarkTraveler777**

timetowaste85 wrote:
I used to love LARP as a teenager, but my friends and I never dressed up, never "got into character," we just sword-fought with foam/pvc weapons. It was great fun, great exercise, honed our reflexes and actually strengthened our bodies and created good balance. Honestly, I can't understand how anyone could have issue with that part of it, as it's a mostly harmless form of exercise. I do think the costume part and vampire side of it are weird, but the swordplay was great. Hell, my dad hates all that fantasy stuff, and when I was a teenager, he joined us and thought it was great for exactly the reasons I listed previously. Good for the congress-dude for backing things like this. Shows that dorkage is semi-mainstream.

If you weren't getting into character what were you guys doing? Just running around and smacking each other with swords? Were there rules or some kind of system involved for dealing with combat resolution?

I went to one Vampire LARP as a teenager and it was interesting but very overwhelming. If I recall correctly my group of friends I were the youngest of the bunch (17-18 at the time) and everyone else was in their 20's-30's and clearly had put a lot of time and effort into their character personas and costumes. It was an awesome spectacle but very intimidating as a would-be new player. I think as a group we were excited to see people role playing in that manner but knew we couldn't compete financially or time-wise to develop equivalent costumes so we never went back.

Looking back on that night I wish I had gone to a few more gatherings to really give the game a shot as I am sure there would have been some fun experiences to be had.