shouting loudly

Every once in a while, some legislator tries to argue that games are not protected speech because they have no narrative or message. To them, I offer Patriot Act: The Home Version, a parody of Monopoly. The Philly Inquirer reports:

Designed by a New Jersey graphic artist and Arab civil-rights advocate, Patriot Act: The Home Version pokes fun at “the historic abuse of governmental powers” by the renewed antiterrorism law.

While the game may be fun, creator Michael Kabbash of Green Brook is serious about how he feels the law has curtailed freedom. The object of the game is not to amass the most money or real estate but to be the last player to retain civil liberties.

“I’ve had people complain to me that when they play, nobody wins. They say, ‘We’re all in Guantanamo, and nobody has any civil liberties left,’ ” he said. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s the point.’ “

The board game is available for free download at the designer’s site.