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Jack Thompson Under Investigation

Posted by Zonk on from the good-morning-mr.-thompson dept.

djflipstarx writes "Jack Thompson, famous anti-videogame lawyer, has found himself in the position of being investigated by the Florida Bar Association after trying to get Penny-Arcade writers Gabe and Tycho arrested. A bunch of people from the Penny-Arcade forums then went and sent letters to the FBA asking for them to check up on Thompson's current actions and review his license to practice law. The fact that even the National Institute on Media and the Family distance themselves from Thompson doesn't help his case either." The lesson here? There are many nerds in the world. Some of them have a posse. Be careful who you pick on.

214 comments

  1. Small corrections to the Ars article by Southpaw018 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Just so everyone's on the same page, that Ars article doesn't get the story 100% correct. There was a second round of phone calls and emails after the initial one mentioned, and the check is from both Gabe AND Tycho. Also, the inclusion of his phone number in the email sig wasn't "unfortunate," as stated by Tycho in the PA blog - Gabe knew full well it was there.

    --
    ACs are modded -6. I don't read you, I don't mod you, I don't see you. Don't like it? Don't be a coward.
    1. Re:Small corrections to the Ars article by mwvdlee · · Score: 0

      On the "second round" bit; correct
      On the "unfortunate" bit; speculation

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    2. Re:Small corrections to the Ars article by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Go back to Monday's posts. Tycho mentions Gabe putting together a hasty email sig that included his cell phone number. He was baiting Jack, not "unfortunate". There's no speculation to it.

    3. Re:Small corrections to the Ars article by Zangief · · Score: 1

      It is not baiting. Gabe NEVER asked Jack to call back. Including contact information in your sig isn't a crime.

      If the mail said "Hey Jack, call me up so we can talk directly", well, you would have a point. But, apparently, he didn't.

    4. Re:Small corrections to the Ars article by lobsterGun · · Score: 1

      giving someone your phone number isn't 'baiting'. It's 'inviting'.

    5. Re:Small corrections to the Ars article by Southpaw018 · · Score: 1

      Damn, rereading that it does sound negativeish, doesn't it? I didn't mean that - the parent good sir here is correct. It wasn't a shady move, he just wanted to see if Thompson would actually do it.

      --
      ACs are modded -6. I don't read you, I don't mod you, I don't see you. Don't like it? Don't be a coward.
    6. Re:Small corrections to the Ars article by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Including contact information in your sig isn't a crime.

      Neither is baiting.

      A number of people seem upset by the turn of phrase, but "baiting" does not have to mean internet-flamewar conventions, as everyone seems to assume. A striaghtforward interpretation of Tycho's post is that Gabe does not usually put his cell phone number in his email sig, but this time he did. That seems like dangling bait (a phone number) with the hopes of landing a bite (Jack's phone call).

      No crime, no disparraging of Gabe, just "you think if I put my phone number in there he'll be so irate as to actually call?"

  2. What comes around goes around... by sgant · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Or is it what goes around comes around, I can never remember.

    But anyway, there hasn't been a more deserving guy than this. The guy obviously has mental problems..and I'm not saying this to say "man, dude is CRAZY". I mean mental problems as in "we the jury find Jack Thompson...".

    Maybe he'll seek some help now.

    --

    "Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
    1. Re:What comes around goes around... by Iriel · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The more that I've found out about Jackie T, the more I think he's not some self-convinced hero (Don Quixote with aggression issues), but simply power-mad. He starves for strength and control, but now I'd prefer that he stays in the public light and insane. As Mike (Gabe) said on the PA site, it's better to have some raving clown trying to get rid of games as opposed to someone actually intelligent that could get somewhere.

      Let him keep his fantasies because he'll keep going even if he gets disbarred (I guess that's how you would say it, I don't know), but there will always be more to take his place. Let's keep this monkey here so we can laugh at his nonsense instead of worry about his results.

      --
      Perfecting Discordia
      www.stevenvansickle.com
    2. Re:What comes around goes around... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where the hell are they going to find a jury of peers for Jack Thompson? This guy is untouchable.

    3. Re:What comes around goes around... by aneurysm36 · · Score: 1

      listen to the radio interview that PA posted a link to a few days ago. jack says "Hillary Clinton" this and "Hillary Clinton" that and "Hillary Clinton is going to run for president so you better watch out." he says her name a total of about 10 times. he is obviously kissing up to who he sees as the next big thing so he can move to a position of power. it sickens me.

      the problem is that he has now picked a fight with the gamer community. gamers are intelligent, methodical thinkers. gamers are very experienced at getting from point A to point B and avoiding all the obstacles inbetween.

      this guy wont last much longer. hes so stupid and power hungry and emotional that hes going to step on his own feet and self destruct. as you point out, maybe thats not such a good thing though....

      --
      ------ hi mom
    4. Re:What comes around goes around... by djflipstarx · · Score: 1

      As much as I'd like to say "Leave him alone so that we can laugh our asses off at him," the problem with that is that there will be people who will believe him. Why? Because either 1) They believe Jack Thompson is a religious man who wants to protect people from games, 2) There are people who'll side with him because they hate video games about as much as him, or 3) They'll refuse to listen to the other side, even if the other side sounds smarter than him.

      --
      Y helo thar
    5. Re:What comes around goes around... by Iriel · · Score: 1

      Well considering that he's under review for ethics violations by the Bar Association (as far as I know at the moment), if he gets his license taken away, that will sorely reduce his credability. Believe me, I've thought about that, but there's another weapon we have for our benefit (note my metaphor: gamers are so violent ^_^): The industry is getting smarter. Good ol' Jackie T may yell loud enough to get on CNN and spout complete nonsense, but game companies are getting some muscle when it comes to publicly refuting people like him.

      --
      Perfecting Discordia
      www.stevenvansickle.com
    6. Re:What comes around goes around... by Rufus88 · · Score: 1

      I mean mental problems as in "we the jury find Jack Thompson..."

      Not guilty by reason of insanity?

    7. Re:What comes around goes around... by Ayaress · · Score: 1

      They're refuting him, but where? Who's hearing it? It isn't on CNN. Jack sure was, just days ago. No instigation of argument that CNN does with every religious or political opinion they invite to speak by bringing in their most dire opponents or even anchors playing devil's advocate. Nothing. Unfettered slander by Jack Thompson, presented as fact and Jack himself being called an insider and expert in the industry.

      Where is the industry's rebuttal? Where? Not on CNN. Not on Fox. Not on CBS or ABC or NBC. It's on gaming websites, certainly. The video game industry is getting their rebuttal out there TO GAMERS. They're litterally preaching to the choir. We don't need convincing, and they aren't reaching those that do need it.

    8. Re:What comes around goes around... by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      If believing legitimate studies made by impartial scientists is crazy then sign me up. As Jack says, the debate over whether or not violent interactive media has a strong impact on the development of young minds is over. Your ten year old kid should not be playing GTA3.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    9. Re:What comes around goes around... by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      You have a point that we are the only people who are aware that JT is under review for ethics violations by the Bar Association. Perhaps its time for the Penny Arcade posse to take it one step further, and everyone should write a letter to the editor of their local newspaper, and their regional newspaper, and throw in the NY Times and Washington post for good measure.

    10. Re:What comes around goes around... by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 2, Informative

      Methinks it isn't as clearcut as you'd suggest: Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked. I mean if you can't trust PBS and MIT...?

    11. Re:What comes around goes around... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      How's this for a freakin' scary headline...

      President Hillary Clinton Appoints Prominent Florida Attorney Jack Thompson to be Attorney General of the United States.

      Somewhere on page 3 of the business section, they'll note in passing the sudden relocation of numerous game developers and publishers to Canada.

    12. Re:What comes around goes around... by sgant · · Score: 1

      Depends on what studies you read. It's about for every study against, there's another one that says there's no impact.

      But please...videogames are now the target that everyone can point to. There's a long history of these targets that everyone points and say they're corrupting our youth.

      Rock n Roll
      Comics books
      Television
      Movies
      Rap Music

      And now videogames. Yes, it's a never ending cycle. Soon this will all blow over and something new will come along that people can point to and blame all of societies ills on.

      --

      "Leo Fender was in a 'state of grace' when he designed the Stratocaster." -- Paul Reed Smith
    13. Re:What comes around goes around... by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Let's home it's space travel. :)

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    14. Re:What comes around goes around... by bhiestand · · Score: 1

      And now videogames. Yes, it's a never ending cycle. Soon this will all blow over and something new will come along that people can point to and blame all of societies ills on.

      I'll take religion for 500, Alex.

      --
      SWM seeks new sig for a brief fling
    15. Re:What comes around goes around... by mink · · Score: 1

      "gamers are intelligent, methodical thinkers. gamers are very experienced at getting from point A to point B and avoiding all the obstacles in between."

      Playing GTAIII:SA I cant seem to get from point A to point B without:
      Inadvertently hitting a pole by accident (I seem to seek them out).
      Getting run off the road/pushed into oncoming traffic by some asshat NPC driver who decides he wants to be in my lane.

      --
      Well I've wrestled with reality for thirty five years doctor, and I'm happy to say I finally won out over it.
  3. Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by thesandtiger · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... that lesson being "Other people can write letters too, and they vastly outnumber you."

    Of course, I imagine that poor, pathetic, insane Jack Thompson probably imagines that he's the noble martyr in some epic battle against the hordes of evildoers who want nothing more than to poison the minds of children, and will not, for a second, ponder the possibility that maybe he's wrong.

    Jack, people you thought of as staunch allies have left you, are publically distancing themselves from you. Thousands of people are writing letters demanding that you be investigated while not a single solitary soul is writing the FBA saying you're a good guy. Most people might take that as a hint that their views are not actually meshing well with reality - hopefully you'll take this opportunity to take an assessment, get some help, and most importantly, shut the fuck up already.

    --
    Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
    1. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by slavemowgli · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As Winston Churchill said - "a fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject". Jack Thompson sure seems to qualify, so there probably isn't much hope that he'll realise he's not the knight in shining armour he seems to see himself as.

      Unfortunately.

      --
      quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.
    2. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by BadMrMojo · · Score: 1

      Of course, I imagine that poor, pathetic, insane Jack Thompson probably imagines that he's the noble martyr in some epic battle against the hordes of evildoers who want nothing more than to poison the minds of children, and will not, for a second, ponder the possibility that maybe he's wrong.

      Well said. That's the part that just kills me.

    3. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Patrik_AKA_RedX · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Thousands of people are writing letters demanding that you be investigated while not a single solitary soul is writing the FBA saying you're a good guy. Most people might take that as a hint that their views are not actually meshing well with reality
      People like Jack see such things different. He'll probably assume the "majority":
      * doesn't care enough and needs him to save them.
      * is too affraid to act and needs him to save them.
      * is under the influence of these evil games and need him to save them.

      I don't think we're already rid of him. And even if he's gone, there're still thousands more, eager to replace him. Each of them equally clueless.
    4. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Landshark17 · · Score: 2, Funny

      He'll probably call it a desparate, left-wing attack on a self-described "lifelong republican" orchestrated by Penny Arcade and those evil game-makers because he's "starting to win."

      --
      This sig is false.
    5. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Yocto+Yotta · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "And even if he's gone, there're still thousands more, eager to replace him. Each of them equally clueless."

      I know what you mean, he definitely won't be the last, but really, Jack is not in some high and mighty position where people can't already co-exist with his stance in his field of, errr . . . expertise. A group of crazy people (for example, crazy lawyers) would have to be fully aware that they are crazy to be organized enough to put only one of themselves out on the playing field at a time, the rest all sitting idly-by in a orderly single file queue, waiting their turn to take a bullet.

      Thankfully, I think Jack is a major exception to the rule. And hopefully one that will soon have every last shred of credibility legally ripped from him. "Gabe" at Penny-Arcade made a good point in a post yesterday though, saying that we may be better off having this guy holding the reins rather than someone who could actually do a good job. The truth is so funny sometimes.

      --
      A B A C A B B
    6. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Profcrab · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Jack is just a desperate man who has seen all his attempts at political notice go away. He sees himself as far more important than he is and does not believe that he need political allies. He thinks that they will flock to him if he gets big enough.

      In short, his actions are that of a frustrated individual. The attack against The Sims and Will Wright should be a dead giveaway. Any rational champion of the cause would have paraded the The Sims around as a decent entertainment and attempted to create catagories of "decent" and "indecent" developers. They also would have done extensive research. Thompson's lack of research, when his profession is built around research, shows that he is not actually interested in the subject itself, only the notice it brings him. He is getting old now, though, and he is seeing his chances at political advancement starting to slip away from him. His desperation shows in his mistakes.

    7. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by thesandtiger · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Very true - while it is certainly *possible* for someone to mod The Sims to make it pornographic, the game itself is not. Saying that, because people can mod games to make them hyperviolent or pornographic or both is like saying that we should ban text editors because someone could write "Mein Kampf" in them.

      His using The Sims - a game that has had such huge exposure - was a critical mistake: So many of the people he's trying to reach have played it, and probably are wondering how the heck this guy can actually believe it's mind poison.

      His positions do have a tiny sliver of a kernel of value to them: Children should not be able to directly purchase hyperviolent/sexually charged video games just as they cannot legally directly purchase pornography. If a parent is willing to let their kid play those kinds of games, then let the parent purchase the game. At least that way they have *some* idea of what their kids are up to.

      But any validity gets blown out of the water by such absurdly stupid comments, such as his claiming the Beltway snipers "trained extensively with Halo," rescinding offers to donate to charity, and threatening legal action against people who have done far, far more good (albeit with far, far more profanity and fruit fucking) than he has.

      There is a discussion that can be had here, but it's a discussion that should be had between rational people who actually hope to accomplish something positive - not reactionary fuckwits who lash out blindly at things that they clearly don't understand.

      --
      Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
    8. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Yocto+Yotta · · Score: 1

      I think in the name of clarity for the uninitiated, the PA guys don't fuck fruit, they just support it.

      --
      A B A C A B B
    9. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by DavidTC · · Score: 1
      Children should not be able to directly purchase hyperviolent/sexually charged video games just as they cannot legally directly purchase pornography. If a parent is willing to let their kid play those kinds of games, then let the parent purchase the game. At least that way they have *some* idea of what their kids are up to.

      That battle got won, like, five years ago, with video game ratings.

      Which is why most of the people left 'the fight' and the sane ones are out there are just promoting awareness of game ratings and the fact that some games are in actual fact complete inappropriate for children, no matter if they ask for them. Occasionally they'll make a few attempts to move highly rated games to a seperate area in a store, or restrict where games can be advertised, but they aren't trying to censor games. They're mostly harmless and well-intentioned people who are convinced nudity and violent is worse for kids than most of us, but they aren't going to harm us or video games.

      Jacko, on the other hand, rants and raves about lawsuits and connecting games to any recent violent event. He wants to hold people 'responsible'.

      And tries to make the Hot Coffee hack, and, now that he's learned about them, other user hacks to games, infamously The Sims, out to be a way that game designers are cheating the ratings.

      OTOH, we need to be nicer to him, because he's thinks that you can see the genitalia of naked characters in The Sims, and I think we can draw from that the logical conclusion of what he sees when he takes off his clothes. Hey, man, we're sorry about your condition. They have support groups for people like you, whether it was an accident or some genetic condition.

      --
      If corporations are people, aren't stockholders guilty of slavery?
    10. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by (A)*(B)!0_- · · Score: 1
      "Of course, I imagine that poor, pathetic, insane Jack Thompson probably imagines that he's the noble martyr in some epic battle against the hordes of evildoers who want nothing more than to poison the minds of children, and will not, for a second, ponder the possibility that maybe he's wrong."
      To be fair, that's the way most people operate. Look at the whole media-produced Red State vs. Blue State nonsense. A staunch Red Stater (as if 100% of the population of a Red State is a Bush supporter) doesn't ponder whether his fellow Americans might have a point. Nor does a Blue stater consider whether those in the Red States have valid concerns as well. Everyone just wants to be told their opinion is correct and anyone who disagrees is stupid. Most of the people who listen to Liambaugh are conservatives because they want to be told they are right. Likewise, the people that listen to Michael Moore are liberals. How often do you take a step back and try to really consider an issue from someone else's point of view? If you're like most people, very rarely. If you do examine issues from all sides and take time out after your opinion is formed to reevaluate, bravo. (Well, bravo or you're a liar.)
    11. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Oliver+Wendell+Jones · · Score: 1

      I like my women like I like my coffee... large, black and strong.

      I prefer my old sig, "I like women like I like my coffee - ground up and in the freezer"

      --
      A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing -- Emo Phillips
    12. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Bega · · Score: 2, Funny
      His positions do have a tiny sliver of a kernel of value to them: Children should not be able to directly purchase hyperviolent/sexually charged video games just as they cannot legally directly purchase pornography. If a parent is willing to let their kid play those kinds of games, then let the parent purchase the game. At least that way they have *some* idea of what their kids are up to.
      I also thought that Jack himself is the sortof silver lining in this. Parents can see a prime example how important it's to teach their kids to think for themselves, rather that listening to people like Jack.

      Altough, in the modern world... oh well.
      --

      THIS IS THE INTERNET. PLEASE PICK UP YOUR SERIOUS BUSINESS SUIT AT THE FRONT COUNTER.
    13. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by porcupine8 · · Score: 1
      his claiming the Beltway snipers "trained extensively with Halo,"

      I've been wondering how, exactly, aiming and shooting a nonexistant gun with a little stick and some buttons could possibly teach me to aim and shoot a real gun with a trigger, weight, and recoil.

      I don't play FPS games, but I was thinking it would be a good experiment to go out on a shooting range once, get a baseline of how bad I am at ait, then play an FPS for a few months and go back to the shooting range to see if I've improved any.

      --
      Warning: Apple/Nintendo fangirl. Likes her electronics cute & cuddly. May be rabid.
    14. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      He doesn't think that through. Claiming that a former soldier with an expert rating for M16 accuracy was trained to kill by a videogame he played later clearly shows that Thompson can't have thought even for a second about that. Considering that his complaints about The Sims were "I heard there are genitals in that game" I expect his reseach into violent games to be of comparable quality. You could probably show him a screenshot of GTA 3 and he couldn't identify the game.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    15. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by tsm_sf · · Score: 1

      Or the Eddy Izzard version: "I like my women like I like my coffee - in a plastic cup"

      --
      Literalism isn't a form of humor, it's you being irritating.
    16. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just wanted to say that I am a liberal. I also want to tow Michael Moore away in a flatbed and dump him into an under ground cell (or series of cells if 1 is too small.) That bastard makes us all look as crazy as Futurama makes Nixon look. I mean the guy is a complete asshat. I can't stand to listen to him. Just to be clear on that and all...

    17. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Jacius · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I don't think we're already rid of him. And even if he's gone, there're still thousands more, eager to replace him. Each of them equally clueless.

      Thankfully, if Thompson is gone, the fact that he tried but failed with his insane tactics sets a sort of precedent for the next time some bozo finds a soapbox and tries to convince the world that he has a point.

      When I say precedent, I don't mean legal precedent (there hasn't been any sort of judicial ruling declaring that Thomson is totally fscking loco ... yet), but more of a "social" precedent. Imagine ten years from now, when some nutjob goes around saying that Virtual Reality Theft Auto: Spring Break Cancun! for the Microsony OmicronBox 2520 is turning 'innocent' adolescents into ruthless 'killers' and sexually-aware 'perverts', we can just pat him on the back and say, "You're a regular Jack Thompson, aren't you, pal?" and destroy all his credibility with one fell stroke.

      Don't get me wrong, though: I only support destroying the careers of irrational, fear-mongering screwballs. If someone comes up with an intelligent argument (with evidence indicating causation) that video games have significant detrimental effects on a person's physical or mental health, I would be willing to listen to that person.

      But may your God save the next person who says, "I don't play or understand video games, but I fear them and don't like them, which means they are evil and destroying society!" (Hint: knowing nothing about a subject does not qualify you to make 'expert' judgements on that subject. In fact, there are certain schools of thought which believe that ignorance about something means you should just shut up about it already, sheesh!)

    18. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...tied up in a burlap sack and carried across the Andes on the back of a donkey.

    19. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      I'm sure Jack has no problem having a conversation about anything you care to discuss with him. Just because everything you've ever read from the guy is about video game violence doesn't mean that's all he ever talks about.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    20. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Umm.. EA makes money from the pornographic mods as people need to buy the game before they can go buy the mod. Yes, note I said buy the mod. EA makes it abundantly clear in their EULA that modders are not permitted to sell their creations without entering into an agreement with EA. So either these pornographic mods are made by people who have entered into an agreement with EA or they are violating the EULA and EA is not enforcing it. Either case makes EA at least partially responsible for the availability of these mods which undergo no kind of game classification.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    21. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Macgrrl · · Score: 1

      albeit with far, far more profanity and fruit fucking

      but don't we love them for it.... :)

      --
      Sara
      Designer, Gamer, Macgrrl in an XP World
    22. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Painfully hot and all over my crotch" is how I like em.

    23. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Ender+Ryan · · Score: 1
      So EA is responsible if someone is violating their EULA? End User License Agreement, those things that don't necessarily stand up in court, on still on shaky legal ground after all these years, are probably not worth actively enforcing in a strict manner, etc.?

      Ethically, and legally, it's their product and they are under no obligation to police the way people use it if they're not so inclined. And logistically... it's a big fucking planet. What the hell do you want them to do? Hire a several million man police force to guard their fucking EULA?

      By your "logic"... Ya know, fuck it, you're clearly insane. By your logic, software can't be distributed, period.

      It seems to me that you are one of such people I spoke of earlier who are unwilling to tolerate freedom.

      --
      Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken - Tyler Durden
    24. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Dude, they can easily enforce their EULA. The pornographers are selling their mods. It's simple copyright infringement. What's even easier to enforce is their trademark. Every one of these pornography sites has "The Sims 2" logo on it. EA is doing nothing to prevent the sale of these mods because they make money from them when people buy the game to play the mod. If EA wants to enter into an agreement with pornographers and release an AO rated version of The Sims 2 then go ahead. But don't pretend that you're just making a Teen rated game and then ignore people peddling mods that exceed that rating.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    25. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Ender+Ryan · · Score: 1
      Again, you are posting completely unsubstantiated drivel. You have provided absolutely no evidence, are continuing to parrot the lines of a known liar and bully, who has now come under investigation by a bar association twice, and keep blathering on about conspiracy theory-esque bullshit.

      Ya know, there is a lot of pornography out there. Most of it is perfectly legal. The MPAA doesn't rate porn, and neither should the ESRB, because there is no reason. It is adult content, sold through other channels by independent businesses, and they are under no obligation to furnish a ratings board with their material for a rating, which would be entirely worthless in the first place. If EA does in fact have deals with pornographers, unless they are intentionally selling the pornographic content to minors, they are doing nothing unethical. Of course, EA wouldn't be involved with the distribution of material created by another party in the first fucking place.

      And finally... EA HAS NO OBLIGATION TO KEEP TABS ON WHAT OTHER, INDEPENDENT COMPANIES DO WITH ANY LICENSE THEY MAY SELL THEM.

      --
      Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken - Tyler Durden
    26. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      So we agree, EA is making money off porn.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    27. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 1

      I prefer my old sig, "I like women like I like my coffee - ground up and in the freezer"

      I like women like my rum - 12 years old and mixed up in coke.

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    28. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      There is no legal obligation to pursue copyright infringement, but there is a threat of loss of Trademark if they allow their Trademark to become diluted.

    29. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by VoiceOfDoom · · Score: 1

      Or the other Eddie Izzard version: "I like my women like I like my coffee - covered in BEES!"

      --
      "Life is pain Highness. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something"

      Westly, The Princess Bride

    30. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by (A)*(B)!0_- · · Score: 1

      That type of response is why people who don't understand basic logic and set theory shouldn't be allowed to have conversations. I did not say that all liberals listen to Michael Moore. I said that the people who are listening to Michael Moore are liberals. If you understand that point, you will see that the above comment is completely unneeded and irrelevant.

    31. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Ender+Ryan · · Score: 1
      No, we are not. The point I made was hypothetical. You have still provided absolutely nothing to support your grandiose claims. Another poster could find nothing on google to substantiate them. Perhaps you're full of shit?

      --
      Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken - Tyler Durden
    32. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Ender+Ryan · · Score: 1
      Not in the hypothetical case of pornographers purchasing a license to do so. The fact is, even if QuantumG's paranoid delusions are indeed true, it *still* is not evidence of unethical behavior on EA's part, much less illegal behavior.

      --
      Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken - Tyler Durden
    33. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I've been wondering how, exactly, aiming and shooting a nonexistant gun with a little stick and some buttons could possibly teach me to aim and shoot a real gun with a trigger, weight, and recoil.

      Dunno about joystick FPSs, but for light gun games, surprisingly well.

      I'd never even picked up a real gun when I took an NRA gun safety class about 12 years ago. But I'd spend many a quarter playing "Mad Dog McCree" and "Beast Busters" in the campus arcade. When we got out to the range, after my first few shots from bench rest the instructor working with me said "Ok, I can see you've been shooting before, so we'll move along..."

      Out of about 10 people in the class, I'd say I would have ranked about second, and the only guy shooting better had some previous experience.

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
    34. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by Patrik_AKA_RedX · · Score: 1

      IIRC the only proven health hazard games have is physical. Bad for the wrists and physical condition. Funny thing is that if the anti-gamers would attack games for the physical effects, they would have most of the medical professionals agreeing with them. But then they should attack TV as well, since it has the same negative effects, and parents aren't going to sacrifice their entertainment-god, just as people didn't stop smoking when it was proven that it leads to all sorts of cancer.

    35. Re:Guess Jack is learning an important lesson... by deltatype0 · · Score: 1

      The problem is, parents are still not as aware of video game ratings as say, movie or tv ratings because video games are still defined by much of their and their parents' generations as being "children's activities" that should only be played by kids under the age of about 12. It's for the same reason that animation can't get past Disney here in the US without being "Americanized" for content and marketablity, best example beitg any anime from Japan licensed here and shown on TV. Parents dismiss the notion their children are capable of playing violent games because "Games are children's activities, they can't be violent!" So when games like GTA come out, even intended for a higher auidence, suddenly they find their children playing and don't know what to do. In a society today where parenting has been more about how to divert your kid's attention away from you and onto something else, it's not surprising kids pick up violent games at a young age and then want to imitate what they see, sometimes with fatal results. The core issue of this debate has been and always will be parenting. It's a parent's job to look after their children and teach them morals and right from wrong. Not the video game industry, not the government, and certainly not Jack Thompson. Frankly, this whole issue would of been less of a hassle had it not been for the involvment of lawyers and politicians, the two foremost groups of people who have no idea how to deal with this issue half of the time.

  4. Confusion by cordsie · · Score: 4, Informative

    As far as I can see, nowhere in the article does it state that the man is 'under investigation'. All that's happened to date is that, 'according to a spokesperson, the letters and faxes have been received and forwarded to the disciplinary committee.' I have no idea how this body works, but I'd imagine that forwarding a complaint about someone to the committee does not automatically mean the person in question is 'under investigation'.

    1. Re:Confusion by HarpyG · · Score: 1

      Well the comitee is going to investigate the content of the complaint given to them, doesn't mean the complaint is right, doesn't mean its wrong, but it does mean that its viable.

    2. Re:Confusion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      If you visit ground zero (the Penny Arcade forums) you can find some evidence that this is the case:

      I contacted the FBA requesting an update, and was told that they have been so overwhelmingly innundated with complaints, that they are having an emergency meeting to decide what kind of action to take.

      So there is certainly something happening at the FBA, even if it's not a formal investigation yet.

    3. Re:Confusion by cordsie · · Score: 0
      Of course, if you believe that random postings by unknowns embedded in a thread full of gems like "THE WALRUS COMMANDS LONGBAUGH AND SHORTY TO TAKE IT TO FUCKING PM'S" constitutes 'evidence'.

      The only fact here is that an investigative body has received a number of complaints about a person from many different sources. It is only natural that whatever person at this institution who receives these complaints is, at the very, very least, going to initiate whatever processes are involved in examining the complaints and the evidence to determine whether there is a need for further investigation. That is all that has happened to date.

      It is not outside the realm of possibility that this committee, under whatever guidelines they've set for themselves on these matters, may decide that there is nothing whatsoever on which to build a disciplinary case.

    4. Re:Confusion by FlopEJoe · · Score: 1
      I contacted the FBA requesting an update, and was told that they have been so overwhelmingly innundated with complaints, that they are having an emergency meeting to decide what kind of action to take.

      That sounds good without saying anything. It could even mean the opposite of what you think. Their "emergency meeting" may be to figure out how to investigate Penny Arcade for whipping up a frenzied hate mob against the FBA.

  5. The man deserves it by CuriousForge · · Score: 2, Insightful

    He so deserves a serious reprimand from the bar. He actively abuses his "power" as a lawyer. That much is obvious by hi rampant threats to sue anyone who breathes in his direction. If anyone brings "lawyers" into illrepute it is this man.

    1. Re:The man deserves it by SlackBastardNetworks · · Score: 2, Informative

      Lawyers who are found to be consistently engaged in the practice of barratry have been disbarred in the past. There's precedent. Of course, the problem is that whomever gets tapped to step up and take his place might not be insane, but could easily be as big a zealot for the anti-games crusade. That could be a problem. Gabe & Tycho mentioned this in their posts, I believe.

  6. Tompson's spin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I can't wait to hear the spin that he puts on this, I suspect it will be that "Evil Videogame companies are using their money and influence to try to stop him and his cause." or "Evil Mindless videogame playing zombies are unable to comprehend the importantance of his cause and are trying to (foolishly) stop him". What he probably doesn't understand is that he brought this upon himself with his immature behavor and vulgar videogame suggestion.

  7. Don't mess with geeks by Bimo_Dude · · Score: 3, Insightful
    ... is the other lesson to be learned.

    After all, geeks are the people who control telecommunications, energy distribution, "your computer," transportation, and most of the data in the world.

    Do you really wanna open that box?

    --
    "Teleporting Rodents with D-Cell Battery Displacement" theory -- IgnoramusMaximus (692000)
    1. Re:Don't mess with geeks by silicon+not+in+the+v · · Score: 1
      Do you really wanna open that box?


      I think you misspelled can.
      --
      We may experience some slight turbulence and then...explode. -Capt. Mal Reynolds
    2. Re:Don't mess with geeks by Txiasaeia · · Score: 1

      He could have meant "Pandora's Box."

      --
      Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
    3. Re:Don't mess with geeks by DjReagan · · Score: 1

      Pandora's Box is far scarier than some old can of worms any day.

      --
      "When I grow up, I want to be a weirdo"
    4. Re:Don't mess with geeks by Bimo_Dude · · Score: 1

      Bingo! Pandora's Box is exactly what I meant. It's a bit more scary than a little can of worms :)

      --
      "Teleporting Rodents with D-Cell Battery Displacement" theory -- IgnoramusMaximus (692000)
    5. Re:Don't mess with geeks by silicon+not+in+the+v · · Score: 1
      Pandora's Box is far scarier than some old can of worms any day.


      I've gotten two replies on this, and apparently none of you got the joke. I know he was referring to Pandora's Box, and I know what that is. I did not mean can of worms. I was referring to opening up a can of whoop-ass.

      I'm reminded of an old quote that I think was from Mark Twain. "Explaining the humor in a joke is like dissecting a frog. No one is very interested, and the frog dies of it."
      --
      We may experience some slight turbulence and then...explode. -Capt. Mal Reynolds
    6. Re:Don't mess with geeks by DjReagan · · Score: 1

      If nobody gets your jokes, perhaps you need to work on their delivery?

      It'll even save you having to dissect the poor frogs :-)

      --
      "When I grow up, I want to be a weirdo"
    7. Re:Don't mess with geeks by andyt · · Score: 1

      It's a bit more scary than a little can of worms

      Aww maaan.. you do not wanna open that can o' worms. Cuz you'll be all like "what's the deal, they're just these teeny tiny worms" but then you'll turn your back and Whhhoompp they'll jump on top of each other and form One Big Giant Worm!

      And will kill you with their worm-like voracity.

      Seriously dude, you do not wanna fuck with me, man. I'm the last guy you wanna be fucking with, man. I know super-secret ninja martial shit, man, I had to live underwater for a month to learn that shit.

    8. Re:Don't mess with geeks by Sigma+7 · · Score: 1


      I've gotten two replies on this, and apparently none of you got the joke.


      The joke was incomplete: You should have also offered to be the one to open the can.

      But be careful with those jokes - they are very dangerous when directed at the wrong person.
    9. Re:Don't mess with geeks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd take a can of whoop ass over an open Pandora's Box anyday.

      **ducks**

    10. Re:Don't mess with geeks by secolactico · · Score: 1

      You talk about Geeks as if they (we) were a united group. The geeks that "control the energy distribution" (etc) probably don't give a hoot about this case and some might even agree with Thompson (GASP!)

      "Geek" is a feature of character, not a club or a union.

      Or maybe you were just trying to be funny. That "insightful" moderation threw me off... sorry.

      --
      No sig
    11. Re:Don't mess with geeks by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      Not if the worms have bazookas, shotguns and the sheep bomb.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    12. Re:Don't mess with geeks by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 1

      Do you really wanna open that box?

      Sure do. I'm a geek, but I know enough to know that we are not some sort of polticial block, we don't act as a single group, and even if we did, petty revenge won't affect real change.

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    13. Re:Don't mess with geeks by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      Ah but the feature of character, "geekness", means we are likely to understand communications technology and actively pursue its exploitation as a form of play. We are capable of alerting one another should something suddenly go down, and we do act. Wonders: is my ACM membership card like unto a union card?

    14. Re:Don't mess with geeks by DjReagan · · Score: 1

      Sheep bomb? Now I'm intrigued....

      --
      "When I grow up, I want to be a weirdo"
  8. All I can say is... by Landshark17 · · Score: 0

    ...HELL YEAH!!!

    --
    This sig is false.
  9. Hurray by dtfinch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's not quite the "Jack Thompson committed" headline I was hoping for, but this made my day.

  10. The new focus of PA fans by Fr05t · · Score: 4, Informative

    On the PA forums it seems the focus has shifted to contacting mainstream media outlets in hopes this story will get widespread coverage.

    Something like this could certainly hinder Jacks political agenda. We can only hope the rest of the world will see he's nothing more than an ambulance chaser, and networks like CNN will stop classifying him as an 'Expert' of any kind.

    1. Re:The new focus of PA fans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Media coverage is exactly what this needs. If the non-slashdoters out there don't hear the truth, then they will believe Jack when he spins this as malicious attack by his evil foes. If there is one thing he's good at, its twisting the truth in a public forum.

    2. Re:The new focus of PA fans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Jack Tompson touched my junk liberally. he strapped me in to his lawyermobile and he couldnt keep his offensive hands off of me. he was performing many red flag touches. i couldnt believe what the fuck was going on. i told Jack Tompson the city would not approve of a loudmouth gadfly touching an underage kid for free.

      can you believe it? Jack Tompson did all this. he picked me off the street, strapped my arms and legs down in the lawyermobile's passenger seat, and just wouldn't stop fondling my cock'n'balls.

      they definately were red flag touches. the goddamn referee he had in the back seat kept on raising up this red flag every time he touched my junk but did Jack Tompson care? NO WAY! he just kept on doing it. I couldn't believe what the fuck was going on, indeed. I pleaded with Jack Tompson but to no avail. I told him the city would not approve of such a crazy nutjob touching an underage kid like me (at the time I was 13) without at least compensating me for the trauma and the use of my body as his own personal plaything.

      this got to him, worrying about his image. he continued to fondle me, all the while ignoring the referee's red flags. then he drove the lawyermobile to my house and ejected the seat i was in! it was amazing. but surprisingly, after I woke up the next morning, my bank account had $150k in it!!! Can you believe it??????

  11. moderation by Achoi77 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Looks like we are in the midst of seeing a legal-troll get metamodded to oblivion. Lets see if he'll end up getting the (-1 DISBARRED) moderation...

    1. Re:moderation by cpt+kangarooski · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I strongly doubt it. Lawyers don't get disbarred lightly. He's basically just been a world-class asshole. That's not bad enough to merit such a harsh punishment.

      --
      -- This and all my posts are in the public domain. I am a lawyer. I am not your lawyer, and this is not legal advice.
    2. Re:moderation by Golias · · Score: 2, Funny

      Lawyers don't get disbarred lightly. He's basically just been a world-class asshole. That's not bad enough to merit such a harsh punishment.

      Hell, most lawfirms offer you a full partnership for that!

      --

      Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

    3. Re:moderation by thesandtiger · · Score: 1

      Actually, he's done more than that. He has contacted a police department claiming that he was the target of an extortion attempt.

      That's much more than being an asshole - that's filing a highly specific complaint with the police. He's an attorney, he contacted the police, and he accused the PA guys of being extortionists. Surely there's something wrong when a member of the bar lodges a false complaint with a police department?

      If he was just some guy - not an attorney - he might be able to get away with the "I was just upset, I don't know what the legal definition of 'extortion' is - I just wanted them to stop harassing me." But he's an attorney, and he damn well should know better than to shoot off his mouth using terms that have a very specific legal meaning.

      If PA were smart, they'd go after him for slander/libel/defamation - IANAL, so I don't know what the hell it is - but I imagine that there's got to be something protecting people from having false complaints made against them by assholes like Jack.

      --
      Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
    4. Re:moderation by mcflaherty · · Score: 1

      Actually, he's done more than that. He has contacted a police department claiming that he was the target of an extortion attempt.

      I'm not sure that's true.
      From PA:
      Tycho and I remain free men. The fact is that Jack actually sent the fax to everyone but the intended recipient at the Seattle PD. There were a lot of names to remember I don't blame him.

      It's still high level nuttery that needs to be addressed, but I don't think he's wandered into criminal land yet.

      --
      -- I am become sig, destroyer of posts.
    5. Re:moderation by Random832 · · Score: 1

      Intimidation/blackmail isn't a crime? "I 'forgot' to actually file the false complaint this time - but watch your step - maybe next time I won't be so 'forgetful' - Nice website you got there - sure would be a shame if anything were to 'happen' to it."

      --
      We've secretly replaced Slashdot with new Folgers Crystals - let's see if it notices.
  12. Not really by Moraelin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "After all, geeks are the people who control telecommunications, energy distribution, "your computer," transportation, and most of the data in the world."

    All that and ... most have close to zero communication skills when it comes to making their point to a non-geek. Or even to a geek who's not already a zealot on the same crusade. So for the most part, they're safe to ignore.

    --
    A polar bear is a cartesian bear after a coordinate transform.
    1. Re:Not really by Bimo_Dude · · Score: 1

      That's a pretty good point. However, if all of the geeks in the world were to get really pissed off at the same time, all of this stuff could suddenly shut down, and the geeks wouldn't have to communicate anyway. Then, Jacky boy couldn't send any more faxes or emails, call anybody, float a biscuit, drink water, cook food (or eat out), drive his car, bully anybody without being beat up, take a plane or train, and have to s[h]it in the dark.

      --
      "Teleporting Rodents with D-Cell Battery Displacement" theory -- IgnoramusMaximus (692000)
    2. Re:Not really by steveo777 · · Score: 1
      However, if all of the geeks in the world were to get really pissed off at the same time, all of this stuff could suddenly shut down

      On the same day there would be dire shortage of Cheetos and Mountain Dew around the world.

      --
      This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
    3. Re:Not really by eurenix · · Score: 1

      Wasn't this the plot of Revenge of the Nerds 3?

  13. Betting Pool by BartulaPrime · · Score: 3, Funny

    Okay, so who wants to bet on how long it takes someone to create a "prison simulator" mod utilizing GTA's engine that would allow Jack to be sodomized and sold for packs of smokes?

    1. Re:Betting Pool by drewmca · · Score: 1

      This is hands down the best reply I have ever read on slashdot. And a good idea, to boot.

  14. Let's not gloat just yet... by Caiwyn · · Score: 5, Informative

    To quote the shirt, "I HATE Jack Thompson" as much as anyone, but keep in mind that an investigation alone won't get him disbarred. I'd love to have that kind of P.R. weapon on the side of the games industry, but premature gloating isn't going to win any hearts on the Florida bar. In fact, it may have the opposite effect.

    A better strategy would be to send correspondence to the bar alerting them to other infractions Jack has made besides those against Penny Arcade. For instance, his use of these same tactics on Lou Kerner of Bolt Media is my personal favorite.

    Or you could cite his threats against the author of VGCats.

    Or even the latest vague legal threats against Dave Walsh of the National Institute on Media and the Family.

    One of these can be overlooked, but if the Bar knows about all of these, perhaps Jack will be out of the game for good.

    1. Re:Let's not gloat just yet... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You seem to be very knowledgable on the subject. Could you post a copy of the letter you wrote? That way we can do something like what the EFF does: giving people a sample that they can use as a basis for their own letter.

      Thanks.

    2. Re:Let's not gloat just yet... by Ykant · · Score: 1

      I find it appalling that he would compare himself in his current work to people who fought and bled and died fighting in World War 2. That's just sick.

      --
      Spelling, grammar, punctuation? We need something that checks logic.
  15. Jack under new scrutiny . . . by galonso · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I have to say I was shocked by the lack of professionalism Jack displayed in his communications, and even given the 'selective quote' syndrome, and suprised how poorly he represents himself.

    I am thankful that /. has been brought to bear in a responsible way, as have the fans of PA, many of whom hang out here too. I was afraid there would be a bunch of childish hacking attempts that would hit the national media furthering his hyperbole, which may in fact have been his intent -- we'll never know.

    I think this shows that PA and /.ers don't 'always get it wrong' and or over-compensate for our passion.

    It's good to be a nerd today;)

    --
    -[joke removed for your safety]-
  16. Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by Andy_R · · Score: 4, Funny

    What would a disbarred and disgraced Jak Thompson be likely to do? He appears to be exactly the kind of dysfunctional person who might take revenge with a big gun.

    Let's hope he doesn't realise that this would actually prove his theory that video games can drive unstable people to commit murder!

    --
    A pizza of radius z and thickness a has a volume of pi z z a
    1. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by the_maddman · · Score: 2, Interesting

      How would that fulfill anything? Mr. Thompson claims playing video games makes you violent, not that OTHER PEOPLE playing video games makes you violent. If he does go off the deep end like that, there's no excuse that will cover it. Anyways, I'm in a good mood today, I skipped the violent video games last night and went to the range instead. Some of us don't have a problem understanding the difference between Quake and a 8mm Mauser.

    2. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by Psmylie · · Score: 3, Funny

      I went to the firing range last night, too. I brought my controller along with me. For some reason, whenever I pushed the fire button, nothing seemed to happen. No noise of gunshots, and no holes appeared in my target. Also, pushing the shoulder button didn't activate my grenade launcher. I'm seriously considering getting that controller replaced, as it only seems to fire bullets when hooked up to my computer at home.

      --

      psmylie's dictionary: Godzillion (noun) Any number large enough to destroy Tokyo

    3. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by FidelCatsro · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Q: What do all of these people have in common
      Stalin , Hitler ,Jeffrey Dahmer , Charles Manson , Peter Sutcliffe , L Ron Hubbard , Pin head , Jack Thompson

      A: That's right ... non of them played Violent computer|Console|video games ..

      I think we can begin to see some correlation between not playing Violent games and evil .

      Which is roughly the same argument they use to say Games cause violence and it's just as specious

      --
      The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
    4. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by Ykant · · Score: 1
      He appears to be exactly the kind of dysfunctional person who might take revenge with a big gun.

      I think he's so fixated on his mission that he'd first fill his home with all these games that he says are creating murderers. After his shooting spree, he'd of course say that those games turned a law-abiding citizen (law-abiding lawyer? that's either irony, oxymoron, or redundancy) into a cold-blooded killer. Either that, or he'd just off himself in the process and leave the evidence for others to find.

      --
      Spelling, grammar, punctuation? We need something that checks logic.
    5. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      No, that's the kind of arguments you make. If there's one thing Jack Thompson ha going for him is a vast amount of studies showing that interactive entertainment has a strong impact on developing minds. Ten year old kids should not be playing GTA3. They shouldn't be watching Kill Bill. They shouldn't be reading their big brother's Hustler magazines.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    6. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by FidelCatsro · · Score: 1

      We are not just talking about 10 year olds here , and those studies are disputed .

      --
      The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
    7. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by sqlrob · · Score: 1

      Strong impact? Where?

      Games are around 57th in influence (I've also seen 11th). There's a hell of a lot more that has more impact.

    8. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Jack Thompson is. That's his entire argument.. selling games to children younger than the stated rating should be illegal and the gaming stores should be fined if they do. Personally I'm in favour of making everything 18+. Entering into any form of commerce with a minor should be illegal. That way people don't have a leg to stand on when they say we should ban things for everyone "to protect the children". Seeing as that's not going to happen, society instead says that we shouldn't sell products that are potentially harmful for childen to a minor. e.g., alcohol, tobacco, pornography, violent films/games. As for the studies being disputed, Duh! That's the purpose of science. There's respectable scientists who dispute that pornography is harmful to children. We err on the side of caution.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    9. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by FidelCatsro · · Score: 1

      Jack Thompson's Arguments extend well beyond the realms of minors and Violent media though . He has tried to tie Games to prolific murder cases(Columbine shooting , Washington Sniper) ,His notable case against the Sims 2( which was spurred on by someone trying to make him look foolish) etc.

      --
      The only things certain in war are Propaganda and Death. You can never be sure which is which though
    10. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Look, there's dozens of studies, done by respectable scientists, that indicate that young minds are heavily impacted by violent interactive media. There's more evidence that violent games are dangerous to children than there is that pornography is dangerous to children. The laws exist for pornography, is it too much to ask that laws prohibit the sale of violent games to children and that parents be held responsible for exposing their children to violent games?

      As for the Sims 2.. EA is allows people to mod the game. That's fantastic. However, their EULA says you are prohibited from selling your mods without entering into an agreement with EA. There are pornography sites selling mods for the Sims 2. EA has not gone after these sites. Therefore either EA has an agreement with these sites, or they are failing to exercise their duty to shut them down. The claim is that EA doesn't want to shut them down because people are buying their game specifically so they can run these mods.. so if EA shuts them down they will lose sales. I think that's a fair argument and should be investigated.

      One last thing on these mods. Some of them actually contain naked children. Due to the cyberporn finding, hand drawn images of naked children are constitutionally protected. It's largely impossible to show whether or not a texture on a 3d model was hand drawn or aquired from photographs. If the makers of these mods claim the texture is hand drawn the government is powerless to stop them from distributing it.. even if the texture was actually aquired from the abuse of a child. EA has no such constitutional restrictions. They can enforce their EULA and get these mods off the net.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    11. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Look, there's dozens of studies, done by respectable scientists, that indicate that young minds are heavily impacted by violent interactive media."

      Without citations you might as well say any old bullshit.

      "Look, there's dozens of studies, done by respectable scientists, that indicate that Mr Hankey The Christmas Poo is not only real, but is the fifth beatle."

      Find yourself some links (at least to abstracts if you can't manage preprints) to justify that next time you want to bring it out.

    12. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by Artifakt · · Score: 1

      Of course these studies are disputed. There have never been two studies on the same subject that came to total agreement with each other. There probably has never been a single study published that sombody didn't immediately reply with "Nuunt-nuuuhhh!, and your mother is a spooty-head too!". Guess what, you know those studies that say multi-gram doses of hydrogen cyanide, ingested orally, cause fatal infarctions? Somewhere out there is a person who will tell you they will give you clean teeth and fresh breath instead, just read his study.
                How about you actually look up some of the studies, and look to see what they said, and which were funded by people who just might have a direct bias in the outcome. I'll even give you a few hints:
                A neo-con funded "family first" group, just might be a trifle biased, and a group totally funded by "the industry" might as well, but some of the best studies have been done by people without anything like Jack Thompson's political axe to grind. Try seeing what the American Association of Pediatrics has to say on the subject, or look up the huge British sociological study that every 10 years, takes all the children born in hospitals in the British isles in that year and follows up on them with physical and mental testing at five, ten and fifteen. This one has been going on for 40 years now, with a million or so kids in each sample - that's some database. When someone bases their study on a near 100% sampling of all kids age 10 in Britain, and someone else disputes it based on a mere 20 kid sample from a single socio-economic substrait, I know which study I respect, and which one I think is done by a bloody idiot.
                I guarentee, if you look for the studies that used large numbers of subjects, studies done by groups whose general reputations are apolitical and professional, and studies done by people who have broad competence and national reputations in fields like sociology or mental health, you will find a lot of those disputes don't exist among them, and there is some good solid agreement. I'd give you some links, quotes, and conclusions, but I've posted them before when this subject came up, and every time, half a dozen slashdotters who proved exaustively they didn't bother to read them fired back with one after another "those studies are disputed" type remark, and they all appeared to think they had said someting brilliant, irrefutable, and original. Follow up on the hints I've dropped above, and you will find you've done, if not a 180, at least a 90 or so in your thinking on the risks of exposure to video game violence to young people.

      --
      Who is John Cabal?
    13. Re:Beware the self-fulfilling prophecy by Scudsucker · · Score: 1

      If there's one thing Jack Thompson ha going for him is a vast amount of studies showing that interactive entertainment has a strong impact on developing minds.

      No. There aren't. Will a child who plays violent video games display higher agression than one who watches Sesame Street? Sure. But so will a child who gets involved in an energetic game of tag or Monopoly. And these effets are temporary.

  17. Can't have the finale... by kcb93x · · Score: 1

    ...until this story's been duped at LEAST 5 times, since it's just oh-so-important. If it weren't a big issue, it'd only be 3 times. So after the 3rd posting of this, then we'll see that he's been convicted, then another 2 or so dupes of the fact that he's "under investigation."

    Ahhh... /., how I enjoy thee.

    --
    There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
  18. Awww....c'mon! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What's in the box? What's in the booooooox?!

    1. Re:Awww....c'mon! by karnal · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nothing! Absolutely Nothing!!

      STUUUPIIIIDD! You're so STUUUPIIIID!

      (reference from UHF, for the uninitiated)

      --
      Karnal
    2. Re:Awww....c'mon! by Pulse_Instance · · Score: 1

      Its not whats in the box that matters, its what you put in the box that matters.

    3. Re:Awww....c'mon! by FusionDragon2099 · · Score: 1

      The box could be anything! It could even be a boat!

  19. Re:I hope by Jakeypants · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Ha ha, prison rape is funny! I hope Jack Thompson experiences the worst form of abuse there is and he'll probably even get AIDS as a superfunny bonus! That'd be just hilarious!

    I hate how every time prison is brought up, some dipshit makes a predictable prison rape joke. Jack Thompson is probably the biggest fucking douche that I can think of right now, but saying you hope he gets raped is immature and stupid.

  20. Be careful what you wish for by ALeavitt · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Just like every sane person who's heard what Jack has to say, I'm glad this is happening to him and I think he deserves to be, at the very least, disbarred. However, I think that Gabe put it best on the PA website. To paraphrase, Jack is only playing a part that somebody always plays. We're lucky that the person trying to ban the "awful new evil corrupting our children" is an insane, ranting, name-calling lunatic. If he were articulate, intelligent, and capable of arguing his case with solid logic, we would be in trouble. Without him, there is a vacancy in that position, and it's entirely possible that the vacancy will be filled by someone with a brain this time. Ah hell, just go to http://www.penny-arcade.com/ and read what he has to say for yourself.

    --
    This sig has been stolen. Return it to its original user for a reward.
    1. Re:Be careful what you wish for by Alcilbiades · · Score: 1

      Ah yes but the position will never be filled by someone with a brain. Simply because anyone with a brain knows video games don't kill people. Now he could be replaced with someone more persuasive but I would doubt that intelligence is going to be brought into his spot just from the submersion of rational thought required.

    2. Re:Be careful what you wish for by bprime · · Score: 1

      Without him, there is a vacancy in that position

      I don't neccessairlly agree with that. I think that there can be more than one designated [raving commie | fascist neo-conservative | smelly hippy], and I think that there can be more than one "Chair of Someone Think of the Children". The existence of Jack Thompson, and his daily appearances in the mass media, do not preclude another nanny-state windbag from taking the stand along side him. People don't stop complaining about Bush when you say another Republican will just take his place, and we should be happy that Bush isn't starting nuclear war (yet ;). Each lobbyist of this nature must be met with full force.
       

  21. Better than TV! by minuszero · · Score: 1

    Been following this one a while.

    It's going to make an excellent comedy series one of these days...

  22. Re:I hope by madaxe42 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who mentioned rape? He was just talking about some complimentary and amicable fellow called Bubba, who was so kind as to say that he had an aesthetically pleasing mouth. Are you insinuating something about people called Bubba?

    Kind regards,

    Bubba

  23. PA Political Action Group? by Agilus · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This is weird, but in a good way, I think.... Penny Arcade has, almost certainly by accident, formed a type of political action group, like all those concerned mothers groups, religious groups, etc. And it's a group that seems to be actually accomplishing things (maybe unlike Slashdot and some political communities). It's kind of funny to think that part of the reason this group is actually doing things is both because it is very passionate, and a larger percentage of it has lots of free time (i.e. no job, part time job, still living with parents, in college, etc.).

    It's realy interesting, and I'm not trying to imply anything negative about the Penny Arcade audience, as I'm certainly one of them (although not a very active one, unfortunately). In fact, I think it could be a very positive thing if they can get the media, politicians (could they be considered a constituency?), and just plain other people to listen to them. Heck, now might be a good time to introduce some of these people to the EFF, or get them otherwise politically involved. *shrug*

    --
    hackshop.com - My tech hobby project hub
    1. Re:PA Political Action Group? by Fr05t · · Score: 2, Funny

      "a larger percentage of it has lots of free time (i.e. no job, part time job, still living with parents, in college, etc.)."

      Hey! I both resent, and resemble that remark! :(

  24. More by keyne9 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Very important to note that Jack Thompson apparently did not actually fax Seattle PD. Quoth Gabe, "The fact is that Jack actually sent the fax to everyone but the intended recipient at the Seattle PD."

    If that's true, then it is a pretty serious problem for Jack.

    1. Re:More by smbarbour · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Of course he sent it to everyone but the Seattle PD...
       
        It is against the law to file a false police report.

  25. The letter to the FBA by ubergenius · · Score: 4, Informative

    This is a link to the letter that was originally sent to the FBA (which was then followed by an absolute flood of letters, faxes, calls and e-mails requesting a formal investigation):

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p =17101843#17101843

    --
    Student Manager - Take control of your education!
  26. Jack's Response by Bob+The+Fish · · Score: 4, Informative

    Mind-numbing as it is, you can find his response at http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000427064233/ Comment #10.

    1. Re:Jack's Response by Zrith · · Score: 2, Informative
      I think the best part of his response is in the last paragraph, where he appears to threaten the Florida Bar Association:
      If The Bar proceeds with any of these, it does so at its own peril. The Bar paid me once. I am certainly willing it pay me again, along with others.
      In addition to this, he is generally insulting to everyone involved. I think Penny Arcade had it right when they said, "Wow. He must be an incredible lawyer."
    2. Re:Jack's Response by dasunt · · Score: 0, Redundant
      Mind-numbing as it is, you can find his response at http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000427064233/ Comment #10.

      Wow, according to good ol' Jack, Penny-Arcade owns thinkgeek.

      Gabe and Tycho are sure going to be surprised...
    3. Re:Jack's Response by porcupine8 · · Score: 0, Redundant
      Wow, so now he's threatening the Bar Association. I'm sure they like that.

      He claims that Penny Arcade owns ThinkGeek? That's pretty easily proven false - I'm sure the Bar will really be on his side when they realize how crappy his fact-checking is. Just because they sell their stuff through ThinkGeek doesn't mean they're TG's "parent company".

      --
      Warning: Apple/Nintendo fangirl. Likes her electronics cute & cuddly. May be rabid.
  27. To Jack Thompson by Inoshiro · · Score: 2

    Hi. You're going to call off your rigorous investigation. You're going to publically state that there is no danger or evil from video games, or these guys are going to take your balls. We'll send one to the New York Times, one to the LA Times press release staff.

    Look, the people you are after are the people you depend on. We cook your meals, we drive your ambulances, we connect your calls, we guard you while you sleep. Do not fuck with us!

    --
    --
    Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
    1. Re:To Jack Thompson by Xarius · · Score: 1

      Who's to say there isn't a problem with video games and violence? Just because this particular ninkempoop chases the issue in the most stupid way doesn't make the issue any less valid. It only makes it appear invalid.

      And if you're going to quote Fight Club, do it properly.

      Geeks don't have much power, they all report to someone like Jack Thompson.

      --
      C17H21NO4
  28. Re:I hope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Looks like somebody dropped the soap.

    Sorry about your ass cherry.

    Incidentally, if Jack Thompson is the biggest douche you can think of, your priorities suck.

  29. Again, apologies to Tyler Durden by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 4, Funny
    "Look...the people you are harassing are the people you depend on. We fix your computers, we update your websites, we route your packets, we patch your servers, we guard your data while you sleep. Do not fuck with us."
    --
    ____

    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

    1. Re:Again, apologies to Tyler Durden by Bimo_Dude · · Score: 1

      That's what I was thinking while typing the post. I guess the mainstream media's "self-censorship" has gotten to me ;)

      --
      "Teleporting Rodents with D-Cell Battery Displacement" theory -- IgnoramusMaximus (692000)
    2. Re:Again, apologies to Tyler Durden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      You should have posted AC. Because you are not your name. You are not a unique and beautiful snowflake, etc...

    3. Re:Again, apologies to Tyler Durden by Kaenneth · · Score: 1

      However, I am my Karma.

      (to bad I lost my ancient 4 digit ID)

    4. Re:Again, apologies to Tyler Durden by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I am Jack's total surprise at getting pwned like a n00b by a bunch of gamers.

    5. Re:Again, apologies to Tyler Durden by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      Wrong. You are Jack's Karma.

      (Which I guess brings this back around to the original topic.)

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  30. Another small correction to the article by cbrichar · · Score: 0
    Gabe's recent comments suggest that Jack never even actually faxed his letter over to the Seattle Police. From the site:

    Tycho and I remain free men. The fact is that Jack actually sent the fax to everyone but the intended recipient at the Seattle PD.


  31. It seems you've been living two lives Mr. Thompson by silicon+not+in+the+v · · Score: 2, Funny

    In one life, you're Jack Thompson, legal counsel for respectable families. You show up to court cases, file your legal briefs, and you...help Mrs. Jones protect her children.

    The other life is lived in computers, where you go by the video game-hating alias "Jack the Ripper" and are guilty of threatening and insulting virtually every geek in the world. One of these lives has a future...and one of them does not.

    --
    We may experience some slight turbulence and then...explode. -Capt. Mal Reynolds
  32. "They're all out to get me!" by J'raxis · · Score: 1

    Maybe this will get him to shut up, or maybe it'll just feed his paranoid fantasies -- they're all out to get me, look at them all come after me, vast video-game conspiracy, and so on. Hopefully it'll get him out of the public spotlight at least.

    --
    Liberty in your lifetime
  33. From what I know of Jack... by Kirran · · Score: 1

    He probably never even considered the gaming community (Yes Jack, we are in fact a community, you see, that's what you call it when people of like mind and similar interests get together to support each other, and socialize. If we weren't a community before, then we have you to thank, you've galvanized us against a common moron...) anyway, he probably never considered the 'pixelante pukes' much of a threat, since we're all of such small intelligence. We would never be expected to know how to write, much less contact the FBA, that would require us to put down our controllers... oh teh noes...

  34. Jack's response to the Florida Bar by vitaflo · · Score: 4, Informative

    John B. Thompson, Attorney at Law
    1172 South Dixie Hwy., Suite 111
    Coral Gables, Florida 33146
    305-666-4366

    October 20, 2005

    Alan B. Bookman
    President
    The Florida Bar
    Tallahassee, Florida Via e-mail

    Entire Board of Governors
    The Florida Bar
    C/o John Harkness and to Governors Directly
    The Florida Bar
    Tallahassee, Florida Via e-mails

    Re: Targeting of Jack Thompson for Criminal Harassment by "Gamers"

    Dear Mr. Bookman and All Governors of The Florida Bar:

    As you know, eighteen years ago I commenced efforts against the entertainment industry's illegal distribution of adult entertainment to minors. That fledgling effort resulted in the first decency fines ever levied by the FCC.

    The broadcasters struck back with Bar complaints. One happy result of that is that The Bar's insurance carrier had to pay me money damages for The Bar's having taken the bait offered by the SLAPP bar complainants. SLAPP is the acronym for "strategic litigation against public participation." Filing such a complaint violates certain federal civil rights statutes and state laws as well.

    As you also know, the Philadelphia law firm of Blank Rome, which is lead lawyer and chief lobbyist registered in the US House of Representatives and in the US Senate for Take-Two Interactive, has chosen to use the SLAPP approach in our wrongful death case in Alabama by asking the Alabama state judge to kick me off that case because 1) I have been so effective in telling the American people about the reckless activity of their clients, Take-Two and Sony, through 60 Minutes and Reader's Digest that they can't now get a "fair trial," and 2) I have a "colorful history" of pornographers filing SLAPP bar complaints against me, which indicates I am unfit to practice law.

    Interesting logic, but remember: this is Blank Rome talking. Blank Rome has a very long history of "opposition research" through partners such as "Barbara Comstock," who was called by the Washington Post a "one-woman wrecking crew" for her brilliance in character assassination on behalf of her clients.

    Blank Rome's Comstock is the US Congressman Dan Burton staffer who was doing his "work" for him when he was clandestinely keeping a mistress on his federal payroll staff in violation of federal law.

    Blank Rome also has been recently caught up in the scandal of securing Department of Homeland Security contracts for its clients allegedly because of its massive campaign contributions to former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, Bush-Cheney, and the RNC. This has been covered in the mainstream media. Blank Rome is clearly the most powerful law firm, right now, in America, because of its tight personal and financial relationships with Jeb and George Bush. Blank Rome likes to make stuff up to run over people who are in the way of their clients. Pretty standard stuff, really. But don't you love the fact that a bunch of "family values" Republican loyalists to George Bush are representing Take-Two/Rockstar and fraudulently smearing a conservative Christian Republican who has got Rockstar on the run? But this is wha the GOP has become: the lap dog for corporate America, the parents who provide the party's base be damned.

    I hear today, then, from the Internet-based "enthusiast video game press" that "gamers" are going to file or have filed new SLAPP Bar complaints against me. Here's why:

    An outfit in Seattle called "Think Geek" is marketing a t-shirt emblazoned across the front of which are the words "I Hate Jack Thompson." That kind of tells us where they are on the subject of me.

    The parent company is an outfit called Penny Arcade. In the last several days, the folks at Think Geek provided, improperly, Penny Arcade with my email address, which had not been widely circulated (I had to get rid of the last one because of death threats and the like). Some idiot at Penny Arcade foolishly emailed me and told me, in effect, of the amusement that comes from going after me, and then he foolishly explained on the Penn

    1. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by FlopEJoe · · Score: 1
      "gamer idiots," "these morons," "wha the GOP has become," "Some idiot at Penny Arcade"

      Wow! There are grade schoolers who could write a more professional letter.

    2. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by pclminion · · Score: 1
      The broadcasters struck back with Bar complaints. One happy result of that is that The Bar's insurance carrier had to pay me money damages for The Bar's having taken the bait offered by the SLAPP bar complainants. [...] If The Bar proceeds with any of these, it does so at its own peril. The Bar paid me once. I am certainly willing it pay me again, along with others.

      Nice. It appears that Jack's strategy is to threaten the Bar Association. I hope that works out for you, Jack.

    3. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by Drunken_Jackass · · Score: 1

      From his letter:
      Any Bar complaint coming from these morons arising out of the above incident is baseless and itself constitutes a violation of a specific federal civil rights statute.

      Jebus - Now he's threatening the Bar Association of Florida?! This guy either has some set, or he's a complete idiot...or a dangerous combination of both.

      --
      There are 01 types of people in this world. Those that understand binary, and me.
    4. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by actor_au · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The problem I have with that letter is that its far too casual for a suposed lawyer to have written, especially considering that there is a slim chance his legal license may be revoked(its very very slim and we all know it).

      I'm in university(Political Science and Economics for anyone interested) and on letters to lecturers, tutors and even some students I'm at least moderately formal in my presentation and clear and concise in my meaning.

      If he is meant to be a lawyer he should include case numbers, references to his examples for verification by the Bar Association, some details of the owners of the companies abusing him and his legal actions(claim notices and numbers, filings ect) in response.
      As a lawyer he should have a clear cut break down of the relationship between himself and Penny Arcade from the first moment they encountered each other to the minute he wrote the letter.

      He shouldn't have wasted a third of the letter on some unrelated law firm with connections to George Bush as well. That doesn't fit in the context of the letter and seems to be him just trying to paint himself as a victim of a wider conspiracy.
      While it works on some people, it wouldn't work on anyone investigating the claims, his career and his future based on that contents of that letter.

      Maybe lawyers in America are just more casual in their communications than in Australia.

      Also, every letter he ever writes to the police includes the expression "Cop Killer Simulation/Simulator" when describing GTA, I think Cops know a bit more about cop killers than Jack Thompson.

      Its not that I don't think he's an idiot, I'd just like someone I could at least respect on some level at least as an opponent to Computer games.
      I still agree with the idea of stopping kids being able to play the more violent games out there, and I think most people here do as well.

      But not at the cost of banning them all together.

      --
      Read Errant Story.
    5. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by darkmayo · · Score: 1

      Read his email that he sent out to the seattle PD and you will be surprised at what a crackpot he is.

      --
      "I am a kernel in the linux army"
    6. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by despisethesun · · Score: 1

      I don't know if that letter is real or not, but it's nearly identical in tone and "professionalism" as his letter to the Seattle Police Department. It certainly wouldn't surprise me if it's real.

      --
      This poo is cold.
    7. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by cpu_fusion · · Score: 1

      So now he's claiming if someone writes a complaint to the Florida bar association about his behavior, the complainer is opening themself up to a SLAPP lawsuit?

      If you complain to the bar about harassment by a lawyer, you open yourself to further harassment by said lawyer? wtf.

      Will someone with some legal insight respond. I'd hate to see Mr. Thompson succeed in scaring away people from complaining about him to the very folks who give him his power to pull all this.

    8. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by Sigma+7 · · Score: 1
      I know that I shouldn't be feeding the troll (especially after one of my recent postings , but the situation has changed entirely. Jack Thompson is now exploiting the legal system in the same way that the RIAA does - the only difference is that Jack Thompson doesn't even have any circumstancial evidence. It is now time to revoke his bar certificate, which will naturally destroy his professional credability along with organizations that rely on him.

      The letter hardly meets the requiremens since it does not address complaints about professionallism. IANAL, but nobody has to be in order to discredit the alleged rebuttal.

      As you know, eighteen years ago I commenced efforts against the entertainment industry's illegal distribution of adult entertainment to minors. That fledgling effort resulted in the first decency fines ever levied by the FCC.

      The broadcasters struck back with Bar complaints. One happy result of that is that The Bar's insurance carrier had to pay me money damages for The Bar's having taken the bait offered by the SLAPP bar complainants. SLAPP is the acronym for "strategic litigation against public participation." Filing such a complaint violates certain federal civil rights statutes and state laws as well.

      I hardly see any relevance here, but it looks like he is trying to declaire the anti-SLAPP law as illegal. Given that filing bogus lawsuits and/or complaints (or threatening to do so) in the first place is illegal anyway...

      Most likely, he is smug from his previous victory where the SLAPP lawsuits were themselves bogus. In this case, it is different.


      I hear today, then, from the Internet-based "enthusiast video game press" that "gamers" are going to file or have filed new SLAPP Bar complaints against me. Here's why:

      An outfit in Seattle called "Think Geek" is marketing a t-shirt emblazoned across the front of which are the words "I Hate Jack Thompson." [...]

      The parent company is an outfit called Penny Arcade. In the last several days, the folks at Think Geek provided, improperly, Penny Arcade with my email address, which had not been widely circulated (I had to get rid of the last one because of death threats and the like).

      This is half-way through the response - either his argument is going to be very thin, or he was just doing padding to make his letter seem important. In any case, ThinkGeek is based in Fairfax, specifically in the state of "VA", whatever that is. Think Geek does have a business relationship with Penny Arcade, but if it is anything like ownership, he has his facts backwards, as the Penny Arcade merchandise is hosted on ThinkGeek (and aside from a few advertisements, Penny Arcade contains no Think Geek content.)

      BTW, JT posted his e-mail address - the first on the StopKill website, and the other in the WHOIS database for the StopKill DNS. It is common knowledge - if he doesn't want people distributing his e-mail, he can get someone else to take up the job as a technical and administrative contact (and not send e-mails to comic strips that make fun of him.)


      I have written the Police Chief in Seattle and asked that their department investigate this matter, as I believe this constitutes a criminal act by Penny Arcade. Penny Arcade has thus ramped up the harassment, and now there is a campaign among gamers to go to The Florida Bar to "discipline" me for trying to protect myself and my family, as well as my right, under the First Amendment to try to get the video game industry to start acting like something other than a bunch of sociopaths.

      He's declaring First Admendment for harassment and filing a false police report. (Actually, he did libel since he sent it to everyone other than Penny Arcade.)

      Note that Penny Arcade can

    9. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by SuperJerms · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Those analyzing Jack's letter for logical and factual fallacies are missing the point. Those of us who know the truth immediately know that ThinkGeek is not based in Seattle and that it has a seller/vendor relationship to PA. We know that Mike could have gotten the e-mail from a number of PA's game community contacts, or even from the public posting at VGcats.com (which was even linked on PA's frontpage). We know that many gamers contacting the FBA do so because of alleged acts of unprofessionalism on Jack's behalf, not grinding axes. We know that Thompson's alleged behavior towards those he disagrees with is, at best, counter to his claim to be a Christian and, at worst, criminal harassment. We know that Jack often resorts to ad hominem attacks and other logical fallacies when arguing. And, we know that any moves Jack makes to deter the Bar from proceeding with an investigation are, themselves, violations of specific federal civil rights statutes. Truth and logic are not on Jack's side.

      But communication is about effective rhetoric, not truth. While the tone of this letter may be lacking a certain level-headedness befittig of a lawyer addressing the Bar about an investigation, it is not simply spouting off madness, either. He is establishing his good name before the Bar with his professional history, claiming corruption in the industry and government, and making a colorable argument that the gaming community has been catalyzed to harass him into submission once again. Classic rhetorical strategy based on Aristotle's teachings on Ethos, Pathos and Logos.

      Not foolishness, either. Every time a gamer contacts the Bar with a "me too!" instead of tangible examples of Jack's abuses, or a gamer calls him at home to "discuss his position on the issues" (as if we don't already know), or someone sends a threat via voicemail and e-mail, we are making Jacks point for him.

    10. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by bigbigbison · · Score: 2, Insightful

      WHile this looks legitimate, I would like to know the source of this. Where did you get this?

      --
      http://www.popularculturegaming.com -- my blog about the culture of videogame players
    11. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by falcon5768 · · Score: 1
      NO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont take this guy to be representitive of all US lawyers. This guy really does write like this! Its not a sham, but its also not how 99% of US lawyers would act either. Read any of the letters to the Seattle PD Gabe and others and you will see he has the same additude in every single one of them as he does on TV. The guy seriously has delusions of godhood to the point a court actually made him be checked out for mental instability in a case he was a lawyer in.

      The truth is, while a lawyer, he is got to be the worst lawyer I have ever seen, making thinly vailed threats at even the bar, but never actually backing up anything he says because he knows hes wrong and he knows 90% of the things he says are flat out lies.

      This is a media figure whos trying to run for office again. Nothing more. Hes going to say whatever he wants to scare people, even if it could in reality get him disbarred.

      --

      "Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."

    12. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by vitaflo · · Score: 1

      Penny Arcade's forum. One of the people who has been in contact with the FBA about the case posted it there. You can find the link to the thread in question in the ArsTech article.

    13. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by Ayaress · · Score: 1

      I have a relative who practices family law here in Michigan. He tells me all sorts of stories, "To keep you from becomming a lawyer and hating your life."

      My favorite one is of a lawyer in his firm who ran afoul of the Bar on a minor charge that, at worst, would have meant a fine or possible suspension. He wrote a letter infinitely more professional than JT here has, but in it, he made a comment that a memer of the Bar construed to be a threat of action against the Bar, and he was permanantly disbarred as a result.

    14. Re:Jack's response to the Florida Bar by BKX · · Score: 1

      Yes, they missed the point but so did you. While Thompson's letter may, at a glance, seem to establish credibility and harassment, it does so only through falsehood. Nearly all of the information in Jack Thompson's letter to the bar that was presented as fact is, at best, misleading and, at worst, blatantly false. That's what you and some of the other posters missed. Here are a few of the, shall I say, mistruths (read: lies):

      The parent company [to ThinkGeek] is an outfit called Penny Arcade.

      Penny Arcade put out a "news story" that was wholly false...

      I have written the Police Chief in Seattle and asked that their department investigate this matter... ...gamer idiot (sorry to be redundant)...

      Any Bar complaint coming from these morons arising out of the above incident is baseless and itself constitutes a violation of a specific federal civil rights statute. ...the folks at Think Geek provided, improperly, Penny Arcade with my email address, which had not been widely circulated...

      NB That last sentence fragment contained two untruths.

      Anyhow, I don't think that a letter containing numerous ad hominem attacks, gratuitous namecalling, and bald-faced lies could possibly be seen in a favorable light by any BAR. And, if anything, a butt of "Me too!"s would probably serve to accentuate the egregiousness of Thompson's behaviour. Besides, when you a thousand people screaming bloody murder who won't shut up, what you do? Piss them off more by letting Jack Thompson off the hook without a fight or get them to shut up by thoroughly investigating their claims.

  35. Anyone else being reminded of McBride? by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 1
    That is Darl McBride the lawyer behind the whole SCO vs IBM sitcom? That guy to seemed to display an extremely poor grasp of the law.

    Although the cases are nothing alike the way they both rage on against reason, use only those quotes they like, are extremely selective with their "facts". It sounds like the two could be twins.

    Is there something in legal briefs that drives lawyers insane?

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

    1. Re:Anyone else being reminded of McBride? by Rolan · · Score: 2, Informative
      That is Darl McBride the lawyer behind the whole SCO vs IBM sitcom? That guy to seemed to display an extremely poor grasp of the law.
      Darl McBride is not a lawyer. He is the President and CEO of SCO.
      --
      - AMW
  36. Jacks reply by Fr05t · · Score: 2, Informative

    http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000427064233/#com ments

    Comment #10

    Highlights include him thinking Penny Arcade owns Think Geek, and him threatening the FBA. It's most likely however this wasn't actually sent to the FBA, just like his nice letter to the Seattle PD never made it there either.


    . Posted Oct 20, 2005, 9:59 AM ET by jack thompson

    John B. Thompson, Attorney at Law
    1172 South Dixie Hwy., Suite 111
    Coral Gables, Florida 33146
    305-666-4366

    October 20, 2005

    Alan B. Bookman
    President
    The Florida Bar
    Tallahassee, Florida Via e-mail

    Entire Board of Governors
    The Florida Bar
    C/o John Harkness and to Governors Directly
    The Florida Bar
    Tallahassee, Florida Via e-mails

    Re: Targeting of Jack Thompson for Criminal Harassment by "Gamers"

    Dear Mr. Bookman and All Governors of The Florida Bar:

    As you know, eighteen years ago I commenced efforts against the entertainment industry's illegal distribution of adult entertainment to minors. That fledgling effort resulted in the first decency fines ever levied by the FCC.

    The broadcasters struck back with Bar complaints. One happy result of that is that The Bar's insurance carrier had to pay me money damages for The Bar's having taken the bait offered by the SLAPP bar complainants. SLAPP is the acronym for "strategic litigation against public participation." Filing such a complaint violates certain federal civil rights statutes and state laws as well.

    As you also know, the Philadelphia law firm of Blank Rome, which is lead lawyer and chief lobbyist registered in the US House of Representatives and in the US Senate for Take-Two Interactive, has chosen to use the SLAPP approach in our wrongful death case in Alabama by asking the Alabama state judge to kick me off that case because 1) I have been so effective in telling the American people about the reckless activity of their clients, Take-Two and Sony, through 60 Minutes and Reader's Digest that they can't now get a "fair trial," and 2) I have a "colorful history" of pornographers filing SLAPP bar complaints against me, which indicates I am unfit to practice law.

    Interesting logic, but remember: this is Blank Rome talking. Blank Rome has a very long history of "opposition research" through partners such as "Barbara Comstock," who was called by the Washington Post a "one-woman wrecking crew" for her brilliance in character assassination on behalf of her clients.

    Blank Rome's Comstock is the US Congressman Dan Burton staffer who was doing his "work" for him when he was clandestinely keeping a mistress on his federal payroll staff in violation of federal law.

    Blank Rome also has been recently caught up in the scandal of securing Department of Homeland Security contracts for its clients allegedly because of its massive campaign contributions to former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, Bush-Cheney, and the RNC. This has been covered in the mainstream media. Blank Rome is clearly the most powerful law firm, right now, in America, because of its tight personal and financial relationships with Jeb and George Bush. Blank Rome likes to make stuff up to run over people who are in the way of their clients. Pretty standard stuff, really. But don't you love the fact that a bunch of "family values" Republican loyalists to George Bush are representing Take-Two/Rockstar and fraudulently smearing a conservative Christian Republican who has got Rockstar on the run? But this is wha the GOP has become: the lap dog for corporate America, the parents who provide the party's base be damned.

    I hear today, then, from the Internet-based "enthusiast video game press" that "gamers" are going to file or have filed new SLAPP Bar complaints against me. Here's why:

    An outfit in Seattle called "Think Geek" is marketing a t-shirt emblazoned across the front of which are the words "I Hate Jack Thompson." That kind of tells us where they

  37. good point + the nature of freedom by Ender+Ryan · · Score: 4, Interesting
    That battle got won, like, five years ago, with video game ratings.

    That's a very good point. Video game ratings are highly visible on all new games, and they're quite accurate, according to independant polls of other peoples' opinions. Unfortuneately, there are still many groups that want to ban outright, violence or sexuality in games, whether they're meant for children or not.

    With all the talk of "freedom" in this country, you'd think more people would have a grasp of what, exactly, it means for people to have it. Freedom means that people will do things that you do not approve of, but you will do nothing to curb said things, because they are adults, and it is their intrinsic right to pursue happiness in any way they please, assuming they don't step on your right to do the same.

    So, I have this to say about Jack Thompson and his ilk: Jack Thompson, and those like him, *hate* freedom.

    Cheers.

    --
    Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken - Tyler Durden
    1. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by DavidTC · · Score: 1
      Yeah, but those groups aren't dangerous, because very few people will honestly stand up and say 'adults shouldn't be able to buy games with certain stuff in them'.

      They're doing about as well as people trying to put Playboy out of business. Even the most conservative person will hem and haw when asked if Playboy should be completely illegal. They'll talk about selling it only in adult stores or behind the counter or whatever, but will stop short of 'no one should ever be able to buy it'.

      Without the 'Won't somebody think of the children?!?!' plea, no one will get on board. Almost everyone who does so is either a) clearly a nutcase, or b) not had game ratings explained to them and are a bit too gullible. And the later people never stick around long when they discover that kids can't, in fact, buy GTA.

      Jack, OTOH, is dangerous, because he's a lawyer, and thinks the way to stop violent video games is to sue people who make them, and he's not afraid of lying, like his current attempt at talking about how mods and hacks can fall outside the ratings.

      --
      If corporations are people, aren't stockholders guilty of slavery?
    2. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      No. They want the ratings to be done by an independant group.. not one that is bought and paid for by the video game industry. How can you argue with that? Personally, I'm in favour of making everything 18+. Entering into any form of commerce with a minor should be illegal. That way there's absolutely no excuse to ban anything for the sake of the children.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    3. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by Ender+Ryan · · Score: 1
      You do realize what an extremist viewpoint that is, no? Completely banning commerce with minors would destroy countless businesses, hurt the overall economy, and would be a generally shitty thing to do to minors.

      In fact, how the fuck do you want kids to learn a damn thing if they're not allowed to participate in the real world at all?

      But back to the ESRB.... No. They want the ratings to be done by an independant group.. not one that is bought and paid for by the video game industry.

      Bought and paid for? Where the fuck do you get that idea? Every other fucking form of media has more explicit content than games, with lower ratings. Furthermore, independent polls suggest that the rating system is pretty widely agreeable. And why would this be necessary anyway? The movie industry doesn't need this; movies are rated by the MPAA, in America, IIRC.

      No, the truth is that parents don't want other peoples' kids playing violent games, because they find it morally disagreeable. We're back to freedom again.

      --
      Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken - Tyler Durden
    4. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      I know it's an extremist viewpoint.. but I don't have kids, I don't terribly like kids, and frankly I don't give a shit if they lose some freedoms, as long as mine are protected.

      Pointing to how movies are rated isn't going to change the opinion of these people who want games rated by a government funded body.. they want movies rated by a government funded body too.

      Here in Australia every film/game is rated by a government classification board. If it has no rating it is illegal to sell it (to anyone). Personally I think that sucks, as an adult I should have the right to buy anything I want, but surely there's a happy medium between what is essentially censorship in Australia and what is essentially self-regulation in the US.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    5. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 1

      I know it's an extremist viewpoint.. but I don't have kids, I don't terribly like kids, and frankly I don't give a shit if they lose some freedoms, as long as mine are protected.

      Well fuck you. Kids have rights, even if they're limited. Infringing on them just because it causes you irritation is the height of arrogance. Also, what makes you think your rights will be protected if they government finds out they can disenfreanchise a whole generation just because.

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    6. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Kids should have human rights, they shouldn't have any rights as citizens or elements of the economy. It's just bullshit to think that people who have no responsibilities should have the same rights as people who do.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    7. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 1

      Kids should have human rights, they shouldn't have any rights as citizens or elements of the economy. It's just bullshit to think that people who have no responsibilities should have the same rights as people who do.

      Well they do, more or less, and human rights are rather difficult to separate from rights as citizens. Also, by breathing, they're part of the economy. Would you prefer that we kick them out of the house on their 18th birthday after not working or buying food or anything else and demand that they go support themselves? That's insane.

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    8. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Everyone always makes this stupid argument that kids need to participate in shopping, drinking, voting, etc, otherwise they'll never know how to do these things when they turn 18. It's amazing they never mention driving. Children need to be taught how to drive at an early age otherwise they'll never master it when they turn 16 (or whatever the age is where you live). It's just absurd. You learn the basic mechanics of driving a car by watching your parents drive the car and then you take lessons and pass a test. You can learn how to be a good little consumer by doing the same.

      Of course, what's most absurd about this is that when my generation was growing up children typically didn't buy much of anything. Maybe we were given a few dollars of pocket money for doing chores around the house, which we spent at the school cantine or we bought candy at the corner store. Today kids are expected to have jobs and consume everything from clothes to music to video games. The idea that you can sell electronic entertainment of all things to children is rediculous. As we all know, when you buy a CD or a DVD or a video game, you're not actually purchasing the product, you're entering into a licensing agreement. How can you enter into a legal agreement with a child?

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    9. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 1

      Everyone always makes this stupid argument that kids need to participate in shopping, drinking, voting, etc, otherwise they'll never know how to do these things when they turn 18.

      It's not stupid, you just don't get it - these things take practice, and the best way to learn is by doing. That's why 16 year old drivers suck, and that's why making the driving age 18 will just move the age of suckitude to 18.

      You can learn how to be a good little consumer by doing the same.

      We don't train consumers, but we should. Learning from mom and dad is a great way to grow up living hand to mouth because that's how you've always done it and you don't know better. We should be teaching budgeting and basic cooking/nutrition in high school, but we don't, at least not as required courses.

      Of course, what's most absurd about this is that when my generation was growing up children typically didn't buy much of anything.

      This is hardly a reason to make it illegal. When my generation grew up, we had jobs and bought soda and other crap like that. Imagine it being a finable offence to sell soda to a 14 year old - what purpose does that serve?

      As we all know, when you buy a CD or a DVD or a video game, you're not actually purchasing the product, you're entering into a licensing agreement. How can you enter into a legal agreement with a child?

      Dude, WTF? When you buy a Cd you are actually purchasing the CD. You then own it. There's no license involved.

      Regardless of all that, who do you think you are to decide that kids should have no rights to participate in the economic side of things?

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    10. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by QuantumG · · Score: 1

      Dude, WTF? When you buy a Cd you are actually purchasing the CD. You then own it. There's no license involved.


      Sigh. You really don't know anything do you? You may own the physical media (all 4 pennies of it) but you don't own the music.

      Regardless of all that, who do you think you are to decide that kids should have no rights to participate in the economic side of things?


      I'm expressing my opinion that children should be taken out of the equation so people don't start banning things I want to buy for their sake. So what are you asking? Who am I to have an opinion? Why, I'm a citizen of a free country where everyone is allowed to have and express their opinion (even children!) I don't have to be a "somebody" to do that.

      --
      How we know is more important than what we know.
    11. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by Fulcrum+of+Evil · · Score: 1

      Sigh. You really don't know anything do you? You may own the physical media (all 4 pennies of it) but you don't own the music.

      ,p>You do, sort of. You own the copy, and you can do what you please with it (aside from public performance and redistribution). How is that different from other consumer items?

      I'm expressing my opinion that children should be taken out of the equation so people don't start banning things I want to buy for their sake. So what are you asking? Who am I to have an opinion?

      That's the coward's way out. What you really need to do is fight the idiots trying to ban whatever they don't like. You think they'd stop at banning it for kids? They won't stop until it's wholly illegal.

      --
      "We returned the General to El Salvador, or maybe Guatemala, it's difficult to tell from 10,000 feet"
    12. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      Well...ah...actually I'm going to school in the Bible Belt, and I can attest that there really do exist people who would gladly see Playboy made illegal. Remember, Soutern Baptists targeted Disney as being an example of immoral holywood excess. Disney!

    13. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      To say nothing of what it would have done to me. When my Father died when I was 16 I was doing shopping for the family. Maybe make it illegal for anyone under 6 to engage in commerce, perhaps, but 18? Reality check time.

    14. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      They shouldn't have any rights as citizens? You think children aren't citizens? They aren't protected by Constitutions? "Human rights" aren't legal rights, but rather are ethical in nature. This is a dangerous world which you are describing.

    15. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      Actually here in the US we teach Driver's Safety in our public schools so that when they turn 16 they've had experience under the watchful eyes of an instructor. Also consider that at the very least, you need to let children who are old enough to work have the ability to spend what they earn.

    16. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by civilizedINTENSITY · · Score: 1

      In fact, you can even redistribute (as in sell) the CD you purchased, you just can't distribute copies of the material on the CD, except as allowed under Fair Use.

    17. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by Ender+Ryan · · Score: 1
      QuantumG can't be bothered to argue with facts and logic. He posts a hell of a lot of crap, but doesn't get modded up for it too often, so I think it's probably safe to ignore him.

      --
      Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken - Tyler Durden
    18. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is not, in fact what freedom means. It's a college kid's delusion of what he'd like freedom to mean. In other words, perfect freedom for himself, but all others barred from even commenting on the exercise of that freedom.

      The part you get wrong is this: ...but you will do nothing to curb said things..

      BZZZT! Wrong! You mean "...but you will do nothing, except possibly attempt to persuade them peacefully, to curb said things..."

      On the other hand, "persuade them peacefully" doesn't seem to be what Thompson is doing...

    19. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by DavidTC · · Score: 1
      They targeted Disney because of their support for gay rights, not because of anything else.

      Even in the Bible Belt, adult stores exist. Usually outside of town, but they exist.

      And while banning Playboy has 1st amendment issues, and contraceptives have been explicitly made legal by the Supreme Court, there are no such issues about banning the sale of most of the other stuff sold in adult stores, yet almost nowhere has. A few scattered places have banned one or two things, usually dildos, but that's it. (And that's more a sexist and homophobic thing than anything else.)

      Seriously, even in the Bible Belt, and, yes, I live here too, you will not find outright support for making naked pictures completely illegal.

      --
      If corporations are people, aren't stockholders guilty of slavery?
    20. Re:good point + the nature of freedom by DavidTC · · Score: 1
      People can 'want' whatever they choose. That doesn't give them the right to make other people stick certain labels on their products.

      Of course, game publishers might just do that willingly if an alternate rating system exists. They're just not going to pay for it.

      And you don't live in the US, so that may excuse your total-moronitude with this subject, but minors already can't buy M (1) or AO games. Parents, instead, must do make the purchase. (And, no, not being an American isn't an excuse for lack of knowledge when discussing American video game purchases.)

      And hence your totally-fucking-stupid solution wouldn't solve anything. They already have to buy those games. And it's more likely that violent games would end up in the hands of minors if they had to purchase all games, and everything else, for their kid, as they would soon stop checking anything.

      1) In my state, 17 year-old are adults under the criminal law, so I'm not calling them minors. You can't say they don't have the right to 'hurt' themselves with sexual content and violence, but hold them fully responsible if they harm others.

      --
      If corporations are people, aren't stockholders guilty of slavery?
  38. Disbarment Unlikely by brain+juice · · Score: 1

    From my experience working in the legal system, an attorney typically will only be disbarred for: 1. Co-mingling client funds 2. Substance abuse problems 3. Felony conviction And only after repeated warnings and several slaps on the wrists. Being annoying is not going to cut it.

  39. More Info by aneurysm36 · · Score: 3, Informative

    jack thompson wiki
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_(attorn ey)

    --
    ------ hi mom
  40. And he Still doesn't get it. by kippy · · Score: 1

    "An outfit in Seattle called "Think Geek" is marketing a t-shirt emblazoned across the front of which are the words "I Hate Jack Thompson." That kind of tells us where they are on the subject of me.

    The parent company is an outfit called Penny Arcade."

    Correct me if I'm wrong but Think Geek isn't owned my PA right? But when did facts ever stop this guy.

    --
    Blaze a trail to the New World
  41. RSS by duerra · · Score: 1

    I don't mean to be off topic, but this is on the front page, and for some reason it's not appearing in the RSS feed.

    Hopefully this doesn't indicate any bugs in the code =)

    --
    A community-oriented lyrics site
  42. Favorite Jack Thompson quote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "The Bible doesn't promote killing innocent people. Grand Theft Auto does. Islam does." ... "Islam promotes the killing of innocent people. The Quran requires the infidel, whether Jew or Christian, to be killed. ... That's a core essence of the religion. ... Muhammad was a pirate who killed infidels and who advocated the killing of infidels. Not a nice guy. Osama bin Laden is in keeping with his fine tradition."

    ( http://news.neilrogers.com/news/articles/200404211 2.html )

    It's a wonder he didn't mention the terrorists training for Sept 11th using GTA mods, the way kids apparently use it to train for cop killing.

  43. Here's what to send by kippy · · Score: 3, Informative

    The FBA's "contact us" page is here.

    From the PA boards:

    To Whom It May Concern:

    This letter is regarding the current status of the license to practice law currently granted to Jack Thompson through the Florida Bar Association.

    Jack Thompson is a very controversial lawyer, more often than not resorting to political matters to solve his own personal disputes rather than through the legal system. However, in recent months, it has become clear to me that Thompson is not merely a controversial individual, but is also a very corrupt, callous, and often rude individual who, in my own estimation, does not exemplify the ethical and moral principles for which a lawyer should hold, and I believe that the Florida Bar Association, in holding with the claim that "One of the primary purposes of The Florida Bar is to assure the highest standards of professionalism in the practice of law for the benefit of members and the public.", must organize a referendum to determine if Jack Thompson should be able to continue practicing law as a licensed attorney. Evidence for this need is widespread and incriminating. Examples of this unprofessional and unethical behavior are detailed below, and I urge those who this concerns to properly review these actions by this callous individual carefully.

    Recently, he has engaged in a very callous, unprovoked and irresponsible tirade with the creator of the popular VGCats online web comic (http://www.vgcats.com/ and evidence of this encounter is available here: http://www.vgcats.com/jack.php. During this exchange, Jack Thompson made a number of references questioning Scott Ramsoomair's sexuality, intelligence, and his use of psychotropic drugs, all of which are unsubstantiated and irrelevant to the discourse (which Mr. Thompson initiated), and then proceeded to threaten legal action in an irresponsible manner.

    During this discourse, after initiating contact with Mr. Ramsoomair and proceeding to insult him, he then claimed that he had not initiated contact, despite the fact that it is verifiable that Mr. Thompson did initiate contact.

    This kind of conversational process is not uncommon with Mr. Thompson, and a simple search can uncover literally dozens of people and organizations who have had incredibly negative and often dishonest discourse with Mr. Thompson, commonly initiated by Mr. Thompson himself.

    "(c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;"

    [source: http://www.floridabar.org/divexe/rrtfb.nsf/FV/DE51 D6D9608C634A85256BBC00558300%5D

    Furthermore, Mr. Thompson has made claims that the creators of the extremely popular online webcomic Penny Arcade (http://www.penny-arcade.com/ Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, were "criminally harassing" him. However, this harassment allegation was made in response to a single e-mail sent to Mr. Thompson which responded to a proposal made by Mr. Thompson (where he requested that someone make an extraordinarily violent video game directed at a specific individual in exchange for $10,000 donated to a charity [source: http://gc.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=5883%5D ). In this response, it was explained that his proposal had been carried out by a programmer
    [source: http://hellfish.gtajunkies.com/Story.html%5D. Mr. Thompson responded to this civil e-mail by calling the creators of Penny Arcade, spouting vulgarities at them and rudely explaining that the proposal was entirely in jest and that no money would be donated to a charity. Therefore, the o

    --
    Blaze a trail to the New World
    1. Re:Here's what to send by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thank you! Thats great. This guy is a nut job.

  44. Careful how you word that! by Wilson_6500 · · Score: 1

    Don't you remember your history? Pretty soon we'll see little slackers in life vests driving recklessly in 80's-era sports cars; you'll regret your wording when the newspapers all say "Jack Thompson Commended"!!

  45. Still not enough, but a good start. by Thedalek · · Score: 2, Funny

    Personally, I won't be completely satisfied with the whole Jack Thompson nonsense until his name is universally synonymous with critical brain failure. As in, open a dictionary and find:

    Jack Thompson (n, slang) - 1. A state of complete insanity, 2. One who is without rational thought, 3. Legal term describing extreme mental breakdown.

    "Well, you've really pulled a Jack Thompson this time."

    "That guy is such a Thompson."

    "We the jury find the defendant guilty by reason of Jack Thompson."

    --
    Happiness is relative, Based upon the way we live.
  46. Ok so... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Do you really wanna open that can?

  47. The fight doesn't end here. by Irvu · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Gabe over at PA made a rather insightful comment on the issue:

    Yack

    Wed, October 19 2005 - 11:33 AM
    by: Gabe

    Tycho and I remain free men. The fact is that Jack actually sent the fax to everyone but the intended recipient at the Seattle PD. There were a lot of names to remember I don't blame him. I've received literally thousands of emails in the past couple days. They are all commending us for standing up to Jack the way we did. Most of them go on to ask what we can do as a community to stop him. I have to admit that is tempting. The more I think about it the more I think it might not be in our best interest. Let me explain.

    You can certainly mail the networks he appears on. You can even send letters to their advertisers. You can contact the senators he speaks with and demand they ignore him. If enough of us do that sort of thing and we do it long enough they will eventually get the message and drop him just like the National Institute on Media and the Family did. Would that be a good thing? I'm not sure.

    Jack is not special. He is not a unique snow flake as they say. He is just the latest vocal opponent of whatever is "corrupting" our youth at the moment. When my dad was growing up it was rock and roll devil music. Then it was comic books then movies and rap music. Today it's videogames. If we were to succeed in getting Jack blacklisted from the major news outlets someone else would simply take his place. Imagine him as an actor playing a part in a play. The point is that Jack Thompson is not important. If he were to be fired a new actor would simply take up the role. The same lines would still be delivered in the same way and the same audience would pay to see it. We are actually fortunate that the current actor is so impotent in his role. Imagine what might happen if some charming, efficacious attorney took his place. The more I consider it the more I think we may be lucky to have Jack playing the part of the alarmist. The alternative might be someone who is actually capable.

    -Gabe out


    The salient point is this; whatever happens to Jack someone else will step up to take his place. The Center for the Media and Family, perhaps, or some other group. It really doesn't matter. What does matter is that those people will be unlikely to make the same mistakes Jack did.

    What this means for gamers (and all friends of sanity and free speech) is that the fight hasn't ended with Jack, or with the Parents Television Council, or anyone else. This was a battle, not the war. As groups such as the ACLU and the EFF have shown the fight for free speech is purpetual.

    This isn't a doom and gloom thing. This is a long-term point. The way to protect our freedoms is to a) be vigilant and b) be organized. We can't watch Jack dry up and blow away and then go back to sleep thinking everything is hunky dory. Indeed Jack was probably doing more harm for his side than good. We have to be organized, by supporting the existing groups, forming our own, reading the news, and having our reps on speed-dial so that when someone serious comes to the table they face serious opposition.

    In my opinion Jack's 15 minutes of fame is almost over. But that doesn't mean the threat has passed.
  48. minor quibble. by RM6f9 · · Score: 1

    "That guy is such a Thompson."

              Please use both his given name and his surname - some of us prefer our memories of Hunter S. (what memories we have, anyway) to remain unsullied.

    --
    Take the 90-Day Challenge! http://rwmurker.bodybyvi.com/
  49. Dr. Strangelove by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I mentioned on the GameFAQs forums that the drama of Jack Thompson was one of the best comedies I'd ever seen, right up there with Duck Soup, A Night at the Opera, and Dr. Strangelove. Which got me thinking - could the latter provide some insight as to Jack's motives? Jack B. Thompson, Jack D. Ripper...hmm...you remember how General Ripper got his fluoridation-conspiracy ideas?

  50. More like a political Reaction group by MMaestro · · Score: 1
    I wouldn't really say Penny Arcade is forming/has formed a political action group because this is really just a response from what you could say is an infringing of Constitutional rights. Jack Thompson has insulted the intelligence of gamers and the noble attempts of charity organizations (the sudden canceling of his $10,000 offer to any charity if someone made him a game?). If you read the fax sent to the Florida police, he is purposely LIED to the chief of police (PA didn't contact him first, they did not give out his contact information even REFUSING to give it out and donating money in someone else's name is not harassment unless you want to sue millions of people across the world for donating in the name of "John Doe", "Jane Doe" and "Anonymous".)

    The fact that he is now specifically targetting Penny Arcade is the cause of this Political Reaction Group. Whether or not they intend of turning it into a Political Action Group, remains to be seenen.

  51. He needs to fix his WHOIS data by artifex2004 · · Score: 1

    From what I've been reading, the contact information in the WHOIS record is no longer valid for him, because neither his email address nor his cell phone number work any more.

    Gee, I hope he fixes that soon. I'd hate for someone malicious to fill out a WHOIS Data Problem Report and get his domain revoked. That would be mean and sucky.

    1. Re:He needs to fix his WHOIS data by Frodo+Crockett · · Score: 1

      His email works. I just got a reply from his greytop address. I suspect he's getting a lot of mail, because he didn't even take the time to insult me.

      --
      "The newly born animals are then whisked off for a quick run through a giant baking oven." --heard on Food Network
  52. Take it easy... by j0nb0y · · Score: 1

    As others have pointed out, the article doesn't state that he is under investigation, only that the complaints were forwarded to the disciplinary committee.

    Remember this as well, the FBA (as well as all other bar associations), are associations of lawyers. By lawyers, for lawyers. They're not going to disbar Jack unless they find egregious unethical behaviour, and I just don't think there is enough of that in this case.

    All the actors in this situation need to be very careful that they do not sink to Jack's level. And sending letters to the FBA asking for Jack to be disbarred is roughly on the same level as Jack sending a letter to the Seattle PD asking for Gabe and Tycho to be arrested.

    --
    If you had super powers, would you use them for good, or for awesome?
    1. Re:Take it easy... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, there's a big difference.

      Gabe and Tycho weren't actually in violation of any laws.

      Jack is very demonstrably guilty of libel and slander, in addition to numerous violations of the FBA's rules against using one's position as a lawyer to threaten or file malicious and baseless lawsuits. This is why the complaints are going to the FBA first and foremost - he's violating the rules they have for their members, and he's abusing his power as a lawyer in ways that are specifically prohibited. A large part of the FBA's purpose is to make sure that complete whackjobs aren't allowed to practice law. Jack is a whackjob. Do the math...

  53. It's not over yet... by oahazmatt · · Score: 1

    Rejoice now, but Jack will be proven not only right, but perfectly sane with the upcoming release of Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto: Saddam & Gomorrah".

    --
    Those who believe the Internet is private,
    find their privates are on the Internet.
  54. slightly incorrect by zojakownith · · Score: 0
    actually PA did contact jack thompson first, they contacted jack thompson after jack announced he would give 10k to charity if someone made a game that fit his design.

    look at the news post entitled "jack thompson" dated oct 12, gabe says he sent jack an email in that newspost.

    --
    I have bad karma....

    Open source is heavenly, Microsoft is the devil, SCO is going to hell

  55. Legal briefs... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yeah, the starch!

    Yuk yuk yuk...

  56. And their reply was. by thelonestranger · · Score: 1

    Dear Mr Thompson
    You sir, are a fuckwit.
    Regards
    Mr. Bookman and All Governors of The Florida Bar

    --
    To err is human. To forgive is not company policy.
  57. It got to them eventually by Tipa · · Score: 1

    Jack belatedly faxed the Seattle PD with it. Couldn't find where I read this on the PA site, so it was probably elsewhere.