Joe Lieberman likes to hold press conferences to denounce the makers of violent video games, but he doesn't have a problem taking campaign donations from them, today's Hartford Courant reports. The paper cites an analysis done by the Center for Responsive Politics which found that he'd taken $73,000 from a variety of video-game industry interests in the past two years.

For instance, Lieberman took $2,000 from Linda McMahon, who's the chief executive officer of the Stamford-based WWE Entertainment, which is well known for its less-than-gentle games and TV shows. Here's the disclaimer about violence offered on WEE's web site, according to the Courant:

WWE warns parents on its website that, during its more violent shows, "Characters may `hit' opponents with objects, such as metal chairs, sledgehammers, shiny new trashcans, baking sheets, metal stop signs or kendo sticks," or may slam opponents "through folding tables, announcer booths, ring barricades and turnbuckles."

In addition, WWE says, "Male characters may body-slam female opponents in the ring, and vice-versa."

According to the paper, Lieberman defended accepting the donations by saying that they don't "affect my behavior." Other Lieberman backers defend them by saying that much of them came from "venues who agree with his ideology or other policies, or companies known for family-friendly shows," the Courant reports. More here.