In a world filled with prejudices and judgement comes a new case of injustice.
Colleen Lachowicz is being persecuted for her love of video games. Yes, this promising Democratic candidate for State Senate in Maine has been targeted by her opponents because one of her hobbies is playing the widely popular role-playing computer game Warcraft. Lachowicz is also a long-time health care worker who works with teens and young adults, wife and loving step-mom.
NBC News Reports:
The Republican Party not only launched a website, they sent out post cards to voters in her district and even issued a press release — all of which showed off the level-85 orc named Santiaga that Lachowicz plays in the game and also highlighted online comments she had made about the game (some of which contain curse words!). (For more on that, read our previous story here.)
News of the “WoW” witch hunt has since made international headlines and kicked up a storm of outrage in the gaming world. I had a chance to interview Lachowicz after she had spent a day out knocking on doors, campaigning in her district not to mention fielding a flurry of calls and emails about the anti-gaming crusade. And she seemed nothing short of stunned by the turn of events.
“This whole thing is just so weird,” she said sounding flustered. “It’s just so weird that it’s an issue.”
The Maine Republican party issued this press release:
Democratic Senate Candidate Colleen Lachowicz’s Disturbing Alter-Ego Revealed
Online comments raise questions about candidate’s fitness for office
AUGUSTA – Colleen Lachowicz, the Democratic candidate for State Senate District 25 (Waterville), has been living a time-consuming double life as a member of the World of Warcraft community. World of Warcraft is an online gaming network where people play a fantasy role-playing game in an imaginary world called “Azeroth.”
Today, Colleen is playing at level 85–the highest level one can attain. Studies have found that the average World of Warcraft gamer is 28 and spends 22.7 hours per week playing.
Her character in the game is called “Santiaga,” an Orc Assassin Rogue, and Lachowicz lives vicariously through her, making comments about World of Warcraft and other topics on the liberal blog, The Daily Kos. Here is a sampling of Lachowicz’s comments:
“So I’m a level 68 orc rogue girl. That means I stab things . . . a lot. Who would have thought that a peace-lovin’, social worker and democrat would enjoy that?!”
“Yes, I am seriously slacking off at work today. And I called my congresswoman’s office today. And told them I would probably be calling everyday.”
“I spent my day leveling my alt — an undead warlock…”
“I’m lazy, remember?”
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I may have to go and hunt down Grover Norquist and drown him in my bath tub.”
“Or my dream from election season last year where John McCain sat at my childhood dining room table and I reamed him a new a**hole about Sarah Palin.”
“I like to stab things and I’m originally from NJ…. what’s your f***ing point?!”
“Do not send me a campaign contribution or I will have to stab you! Seriously!”
“Yes, join us! We’re progressive… in fact we joke about being a socialist guild.”
“I love this diary because it sums up the teabagger mindset.”
(read more here)