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Jack Thompson Faces Disciplinary Hearing

Posted by Zonk on from the disbarment-we-can-only-hope dept.

CoolC writes "Gamepolitics is reporting that attorney Jack Thompson is to face a disciplinary hearing before the Florida Supreme Court. The attorney faces five counts of professional misconduct, three of which are correlated with his ongoing campaign against violent video games. Thompson faces the possibility of disciplinary action up to and including disbarment."

29 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. i'm hoping... by macadamia_harold · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thompson faces the possibility of disciplinary action up to and including disbarment.

    I'm crossing my fingers in the hope that you misspelled dismemberment.

    --
    Push Button, Receive Bacon
    1. Re:i'm hoping... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      If wishing a gruesome death on someone with whom you disagree isn't insightful, I don't know what is.

    2. Re:i'm hoping... by BakaHoushi · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "Daddy, daddy! Teacher says everytime a jackass gets a long overdue punishment, an angel gets an orgasm!"

      To describe his conduct as "disgusting" is the understatement of the year. Even outside video games, listening to the things he says (neo-conservative religious freak... I don't care where you fall on the political spectrum, that spells "jackass.") makes me sick.

      Disbarment is too good for him, but I'll settle for it.

    3. Re:i'm hoping... by BakaHoushi · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If I may quote his Wikipedia article:
      "In 1992, Thompson asked a Florida judge to declare the Florida Bar Association unconstitutional. He claimed that the bar was engaged in a vendetta against him because of his religious beliefs, which he said conflict with what he called the bar's pro-gay, humanist, liberal agenda."

      We may disagree, however, I think this line here pretty much says to me that Mr. Thompson is a huge bigot. He's going for the "persecuted minority" (despite being a Christian, which is hardly the minority) routine. This is incredibly disgusting to me on every level. Is it wrong to wish to see him fact the consequences of his actions?

      I admit, we're biased. But we're also human, and we're talking of a man who has personally attacked our character (well, the character of anyone who ever plays games, anyway), our hobbies, and has in general, made himself out to be our enemy, as if he feeds off of animosity. Is it surprising we should take some enjoyment in watching and criticizing his actions, in hopes that they may be his downfall? Sorry if this is a bit of nonsensical rambling, but I see no reason we shouldn't be upset at him.

    4. Re:i'm hoping... by rbochan · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm hoping he gets a cameo as a corpse in the next GTA release.

      --
      ...Rob
      The American Dream isn't an SUV and a house in the suburbs; it's Don't Tread On Me.
    5. Re:i'm hoping... by Shads · · Score: 4, Informative

      He won't get disbarred unfortunately. That man has been to more ethics hearings and such than most attorneys every go to.

      Check out his entry on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson_(attorn ey) crazy shit... Janet Reno, Two Live Crew, Madonna, Time Warner, Howard Stern, dozens of companies, and even the florida bar... he has a long and colorful history and has had several visits with the florida bar people to consider disbarment. They really don't like him much.

      --
      Shadus
    6. Re: I'm hoping... by Sj0 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      What are you talking about? He pressed a button. There's nothing violent about pressing a button.

      NOW, sending tens of thousands of troops to a foreign country in a war of aggression and occupation and subjugation which results in 40,000 civilian casualties. THAT is violent.

      But I guess context is a silly thing. We don't need that.

      --
      It's been a long time.
    7. Re:i'm hoping... by BakaHoushi · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Oh, but I know there is a difference.
      For example, in my own experience, someone who has religion is someone who believes in God/a god/whatever. He follows its principles.
      A religious freak is someone who says "I believe this, so follow it, too, or burn in Hell."

      There are some key ways to tell the difference. For example, no sane religious person would ever seriously use the term "gay agenda." Mr. Thompson has made it very clear that he's anti-gay, and on a number of occasions spoken like gays are out on street corners, handing out pamphlets to try and convert you.

      A religious person finds comfort in his own beliefs. A freak finds comforting in condemning those who don't follow his beliefs.

      Part of the reason we don't see many truly religious people in the news is because they're being tolerant and quiet. That's not newsworthy. Some jackass marching down Main Street to have minority group/religion/whatever put in death camps, however, will be plastered all over.

      So, Thompson is loud, irritable, stubborn, intolerant, and closed minded. Combine this with his often stated "strong faith" and you've got the model religious nut. Believing in God don't make you nuts. But if you are nuts and believe in God, oh, the shit you can try to pull...

    8. Re:i'm hoping... by NormalVisual · · Score: 4, Interesting

      He won't get disbarred unfortunately

      The difference is that he's before the FL Supreme Court now, the same people that just two months ago fired a renegade district judge for egregious behavior when no one else would. They don't seem to tolerate such misbehavior very much, especially when presented with a record like Thompson's. Here's hoping he's forced to find an alternate career. :-D

      --
      Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas
    9. Re:i'm hoping... by Torodung · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Mr. "5, Informative" said:
      >If I may quote his Wikipedia article

      You may... but if you're really going to tell us what Jack Thompson thinks, you should quote *Jack Thompson*, who said:

      >"wedding of all three functions of government into the Florida Bar, the 'official arm' of the
      >Florida Supreme Court, is violative of the bedrock constitutional requirement of the separation
      >powers and the 'checks and balances' which the separation guarantees."

      from the *same article*.

      To paraphrase: A branch of the government, especially a non-elected one, should *never* regulate ITSELF. That actually makes a good deal of sense, don't you think?

      I dislike Jack Thompson for his smearing, his wild accusations, and his consistent histrionic bullshit, which can be quoted voluminously (so why quote a paraphrase?), but he is still a lawyer, and he is a *competent* lawyer who understands exactly what's gone wrong with the law.

      His tragedy is that he uses that information to get his way, instead of as a point of reform. That's not unique amongst lawyers, because the system does not reward ethical behavior, it rewards whatever sticks to the wall. He knows what's wrong with this country's legal system, and I would welcome his disbarment because it might turn his crusade in the right direction: against that corrupted system.

      He isn't a nutjob. People IGNORE nutjobs. He's EFFECTIVE and that bothers us because it shows us how easily the legal system can be manipulated to punish unsubstantiated wrongs.

      --
      Toro

  2. Department by agent+dero · · Score: 4, Funny

    "disbarment-we-can-only-hope"

    Come on, let's try not to show such a bias here on slashd...oh, wha? That Jack Thompson?

    I wonder if tarring and featherings are allowed in the florida legal system... Seriously though, isn't this a textbook case of "people getting what they deserve?"

    --
    Error 407 - No creative sig found
    1. Re:Department by Maestro4k · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Seriously though, isn't this a textbook case of "people getting what they deserve?"

      Definitely, but given his history he'll probably sue the Florida Bar (again).

    2. Re:Department by BakaHoushi · · Score: 5, Insightful

      --What the FUCK?

      So, let me get this straight. He sues the Florida Bar Association because he basically says its an evil communist terrorist organization planning to turn everyone gay, and that it's blatantly disregarding the Constitution (Please note: I exaggerate his wording, but either way, it's full of shit) and destroying America.

      So he settles for $20,000 out of court. "You're destroying America! Stop it now!" "How about we just give you some money?" "That's fine, too!"

      Damn, this guy is the ultimate sleezeball. If you ask me. Jack Thompson is a shining example of everything wrong with America these days (bigoted, sue-happy, uninformed but with LOUD AND STRONG OPINIONS).

  3. Finally justice. by Trendy.Ideology · · Score: 4, Interesting

    At least actions like these will (hopefully) help to dissuade people from just blindly attacking and blaming videogames for everything that goes wrong in thier lives... Holding this person accountable for his gross misconduct is the first step towards really making progress against all these anti-videogame warmongering dimwits. It's about time someone put thier foot down and said "No." to all these figureheads shooting thier mouth off without knowing what the hell they're talking about.

    --
    In the end, the only thing that matters is how much fun you had.
    1. Re:Finally justice. by MWoody · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As much as I'd like to believe that's true, that's not really what this mess is about. And it's important that all involved understand that, because if Thompson was guilty of nothing more than a wildly unpopular - among a certain group, anyway - and conservative worldview, then we'd have no hope of him being disbarred.

      No, what this is about is Jack Thompson, a crazy man practicing law. What exact view he presents, and whom he attempts to target with his wild accusations and lawsuits, is not the case here. He's a flat-out frothing-at-the-mouth smearing-shit-on-the-walls lunatic that is nevertheless certified to practice law in Florida solely because the last time they tried this he threatened them with a civil suit.

      It's important that the gaming community at large not gloat too much should this go the way I so sincerely hope it does - i.e, that Thompson is removed to a position in society where he can do minimal harm. If we start waving the flags and claiming victory over those who ignore the research and continue to claim that video game violence produces killers, then we risk making a nutjob a martyr, and watching three more spring up in his place. The sensible long-term response is, "regardless of my views on gaming and media censorship, it's good for ALL Americans that this man is out of the discussion, and we can continue to argue for our rights with those opponents who approach the issue with dignity, respect, and above all, sanity."

      That's not to say this news doesn't make me happy in my pants. Oh, it does. It VERY MUCH does.

    2. Re:Finally justice. by Fordiman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      But... but... can't we PRETEND that he's the example of the everyday neo-conservative uberchristian freak?? I mean, much of the US does that for mid-east terrorists, pretending they're examples of muslims. Why can't I assume Jack Thopson is the official spokesmoron of the religious right?

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    3. Re:Finally justice. by Fordiman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "Being conservative does not equate to being stupid"

      No, but toeing the party line would.

      Just so's you know.

      "(Jack Thompson) ... is better described as a Liberal; i.e. ... knows whats best for society, and has made it his personal crusade to make the world safe for everybody by changing social laws."

      Hm. You mean like trying to overturn Roe v. Wade? Or perhaps outlawing gay marraige. Yeah. Those damned liberals. Always thinkin' they know what's best.

      Seriously. The second I hear 'liberals are like this' or 'conservatives are like that' I know the speaker has immediately gone into an irrational defensive mode.

      Jack Thompson is a conservative; he's almost a reactionary. He's trying to use the legal system to 'protect' the citizens from a new form of content, which is a very conservative thing.

      The fact that he's a nutjob has nothing to do with that. There are conservative nutjobs and there are liberal nutjobs. Please, accept your own nutjobs. No one else will.

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  4. no, it's a good thing by artifex2004 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Too bad it's not happening in Texas.
    If we got him down here, the electorate would, without a doubt, try to put him into public office.
  5. Meh... by kitsunewarlock · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This just proves that Thompson is just an over-hyped nut-job idiot. The fact only 2/5 of these charges have anything to do with video games continues to discredit him in my eyes not only as a lawyer but as a nut who claims that "videogames are evil." Don't get me wrong, I think video-games are awesome, but cameo'ing him in webcomics and screaming his name at people who claim games are evil is like saying all hippies are like Manson, right? This guy's name isn't even worth mentioning in such cases...I feel bad that he has a slashdot article this late in the game even dedicated to him...I don't think its worth it...

    Its like saying "lunatic charged of murder cases thinks he should be able to kill people!" Who cares...in both cases its some stupid crazy loon getting what he deserves...

    --
    Ginga no Rekshiya Mata Each page.
    1. Re:Meh... by Trendy.Ideology · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I don't think there's ever a time where it's not good to spread information.

      "I feel bad that he has a slashdot article this late in the game even dedicated to him...I don't think its worth it..."

      I rarely turn on the news, or read the paper. Slashdot is one of two "news" sites I read, the second being primarily video game based site. So if not for new sites like Slashdot, and other specialty news outlets, I very well may not have known about this extremely relevant piece of information.

      Over the last several years it's been a tad bit demoralizing to see logic and reason go out the window in the USA, in favor of a policy of scapegoating. Killed your brother? Blame violent music. Robbed a store? Blame GTA. 8 year old that swears like a sailor? Blame TV and the media at large.

      You're a bad parent? Don't worry, we can fix that. Here, blame these guys. Everyone's doing it, it's all the rage.

      If you're fat, it's McDonald's fault. If you can't read warning labels or use common sense, whoever made what hurt you, is to blame. Clearly they should have warned you that you were retarded before selling you a product that's designed to do damage, like a knife, or a product that's been served pipping hot for as long as anyone's been alive, like coffee. Clearly you needed to be told not to spill hot coffee on your lap.

      So taking a good look back over the last several years, and all the madness... It's refreshing to see a stand being taken against these trends. If left unchecked, people like this, and attitudes like these, will lead to the widespread disappearance of personal responsibility.

      --
      In the end, the only thing that matters is how much fun you had.
    2. Re:Meh... by aussie_a · · Score: 4, Interesting

      or the people who want everything totally free and unregulated, no matter the consequences, I have not seen anyone on this article put forth this opinion. The "problem" is, no-one has proven there are any consequences so people wanting everything totally free and unregulated no matter the consequences look exactly the same as those who want everything free barring no bad consequences.
    3. Re:Meh... by kinzillah · · Score: 4, Informative

      Sorry, but I feel it should be pointed out, that McDonald served that lady's coffee scalding hot. 180-190 degrees, which is enough to give you 3rd degree burns in 7 seconds or less. She was hospitalized for 8 days, and required skin grafts. Had McDonalds served their coffee at the normal serving temperature of around 150 degrees, she would have been in some pain for a day or so, probably needed to go to the hospital to get checked on, but that's about it. Why did McDonalds serve their coffee so hot? So they wouldn't have to brew a new batch so often.

      So yes, it's her fault it spilled. Is it her fault she got 3rd degree burns from it? No.

      --
      Douglas P. Price
    4. Re:Meh... by MightyMartian · · Score: 4, Insightful

      People have been enjoying violence for millennia. Cock fighting, boxing, bullfights and the Roman arena are all examples of it. I had not heard that any of this, no matter how distasteful, have lead to the horrors that nutjobs like Thompson seems to think video games do.

      Perhaps instead of blaming violent entertainment, we should be looking at why we so enjoy watching people get the shit beat out of them.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  6. We need to know what crazy loons are up to by BruceCage · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In essence I agree with you, sometimes it's better to ignore silly people. But in this case I believe Jack Thompson has quite a following among certain groups of people, if we were to ignore them they might be able to do a lot more damage. Instead, pointing out their flawed reasoning or mistakes such as this and discussing it openly can benefit "the cause".

    --
    Perfect is the enemy of done.
    1. Re:We need to know what crazy loons are up to by MightyMartian · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Jack Thompson wouldn't have a following if 24 hour news stations and web sites didn't have an insatiable need for new stories every hour or two. This guy would, at best, be buried on page 9 between stories about the nine month old Husky puppy that saved her owners from carbon monoxide poisoning and the dangers of oversharpening steak knives.

      Jack Thompson is just a member of that breed of attention addicts who will do or say anything to get their faces in the paper. The news media happily obliges these guys, because they're outrageous and clearly demented. They're following is just as demented, and are probably psychologically not all that different from the kinds of guys who end up in cults. If Jack Thompson belongs anywhere, it's on the Jerry Springer Show fighting transexual hookers and eighty year old sex addicts.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  7. Too Bad He Couldn't be Tried in Auburn, WA. by NeuroManson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Up here, there's a nice art deco building, started as a supermarket, then up until a couple of years ago, existed as a video game arcade. Now it's a courthouse. The irony would be mind boggling.

    --
    Just because you can mod me down, doesn't mean you're right. Shoes for industry!
  8. Obligatory Penny Arcade Links by giafly · · Score: 4, Informative

    "Moral Kombat" - comic 5 Jan 2007.

    "Obviously he [Jack Thompson] didn't mention anything to the police department about his "Modest proposal" in which he asks that a game be developed in which players urinate on peoples brains and murder kids who work at game stores. He never mentions that he offered ten thousand dollars to charity and then said it was just "satire." He doesn't tell the police chief that Jerry and I just donated the ten thousand for him. I wonder why he left that part out?" - Penny Arcade

    Tshirts > Gaming > I Hate Jack Thompson...
    Virtually every living creature hates Jack Thompson, professional scold and slavering ambulance chaser. Squirrels, policemen, sea captains, fruit bats... - black t-shirt
    --
    Reduce, reuse, cycle
  9. Re:Jack was abscent... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The media has always been where Jack Thompson does most of his "fighting", that he happens to be a lawyer is incidental.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  10. We haven't seen the last of him... by Hannah+E.+Davis · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Unlike many, I don't actually hate Jack Thompson -- if anything, I pity him. He's trying to do what he thinks is right, even at the cost of his own career, and I gotta admit that that takes balls. However, I do strongly disagree with his methods. Writing caustic, barely-coherent letters to judges and insulting young children on the internet is typically not an advised course of action when you're trying to effect social or legal change. His conduct has been undeniably unprofessional, and for this reason, I hope he gets disbarred.

    One thing that we should keep in mind, however, is that crazy old coots like Jack typically don't vanish the moment they lose their jobs (see: Fred Phelps). He'll have a lot more free time all of a sudden, and I expect he will continue to portray himself as a martyr -- a man who sacrificed his own career to protect America's children (and all that drivel). Sure, he won't be as dangerous when he can't blindly sue anything that moves, but I expect that the media will still view him as the resident expert on video game violence.