ESA throws pathetic hissy fit over hellfire Governor coverage

Oh dear. The ESA issued a statement today, aimed at GamesPolitics.com, after it came to light that E3 keynote speaker and Texan Governor Rick Perry believes that non-Christians will go to Hell.

"If the ESA posted a blog and called it a news site, journalists would rightfully balk and it wouldn't pass a smell test," ESA spokesperson Dan Hewitt said in an email to Joystiq.

"Remarkably, GamePolitics doesn't face the same scrutiny even though it's funded by the ECA and tainted with anti-ESA vitriol. At the end of the day, calling GamePolitics a news site is a laughable as saying there's a Cuban free press."

Gamepolitics editor Dennis McCauley responded:

"GamePolitics is the same news site it has always been, covering the nexus between video games and politics. Since acquiring GamePolitics in October, 2006, ECA president Hal Halpin has insisted that GP retain its editorial independence.

"I suspect that, given its current difficulties retaining member companies, the ESA is uncomfortable with the level of scrutiny directed at it by some news outlets. Ultimately, an organization like the ESA is judged by its performance, and, right now, it's fair to call that performance into question. When a politician is keynoting E3, that's worth questioning. When the politician has made divisive comments, like those attributed to Gov. Perry, that's really worth questioning."

Give it up, ESA. You're about as right as left.