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Jack Thompson Calls The Feds On PA

Posted by Zonk on from the and-the-justice-league dept.

Gamespot is reporting that Jack has taken his beef to the Feds regarding the dangerous pixelantes over at Penny Arcade. From the article: "In a letter addressed to John McKay, US Attorney for the Western District of Washington, and sent to media outlets, Thompson this morning said the site was using a variety of means 'to encourage and solicit criminal harassment' of him. Thomspon wrote to McKay, 'Please help me if you can,' but did not include specific actions he wished to have taken against the site. McKay's office prosecutes cases investigated by several law enforcement agencies in Western Washington, including the FBI." PvP is also running a parody indicating that Jack has appealed to the Justice League for assistance with Gabe and Tycho.

4 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Just FYI by Suburbanpride · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I would be careful buying one. My local police department might get a fax accusing me of criminal harassment.

    Seriously, has this guy ever heard of the first amendment? how about New York Times vs Sulivan?. Mr. Thompson is a public figure and therefore a valid target of criticism. Penny arcade has done nothing except to post the messages the Jack has sent. people making death threats could be prosucted. but PA is protected under the law.

    --
    sorry 'bout the mess...
  2. To make a federal case out of it?! by the_skywise · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Penny Arcade is NOT in anyway shape or form harassing him.

    It is LEGAL to make donations in another's name. (IE you can make a donation to the NAACP in David Duke's name...)

    Is it LEGAL (at least in the USA) to correspond with another and say "ha ha you're a fool"

    Is Penny Arcade directing attention to this guy? Yes. And it's LEGAL to do so (in the USA).

    They're not threatening him. They're not telling people to threaten him. They are trying to get people's attention on him so that they'll realize that this campaign to sue video game companies is one man's personal vendetta and not necessarily a generalized public response.

    He wasn't "hit out of the blue" He's been harassing video game websites for months now and has been publically bashing the entire video game industry. He publically made an offer of donating money to charity if they'd build a game to his specification which he renegged on. He's a public figure, waging a public vendetta.

    That's NOT illegal (in the USA). That's called FREE SPEECH.

  3. Ethics. by Kaenneth · · Score: 5, Interesting

    http://www.law.stetson.edu/excellence/litethics/fl bar.htm

    The Florida Bar
    Ideals and Goals of Professionalism
    These aspirational guidelines for lawyers were
    adopted by the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar on May 16, 1990.

    "A lawyer's word should be his or her bond. The lawyer should not knowingly misstate, distort, or improperly exaggerate any fact or opinion and should not improperly permit the lawyer's silence or inaction to mislead anyone."

    http://www.jud10.org/WillsonInn/Florida%20Bar%20an d%20Inn%20of%20Court%20Creeds.pdf

    Florida Bar Creed Of Professionalism

    "I will not knowingly misstate, distort, or improperly exaggerate any fact or opinion and will not improperly permit my silence or inaction to mislead anyone."

  4. I'd argue that... by the_skywise · · Score: 4, Interesting

    He's not even trying to shove morality down the throats of gamers... He's in it for the money and that's all the morality he needs.