jack-thompson posts (Subscribe to this feed)
The ECA wants you to tell Obama how cool video games are
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Jul 27th 2009 at 11:25PM }
While we're sure Mr. President would love to read all about how World of Warcraft taught you about time (mis)management or how Drop7 makes you see things in groups of seven or less everywhere you go (is that just us?), we're thinking the "intellectual stimulation" and "problem solving" routes might be a bit more advantageous.
[Thanks, Jack!]
LGJ: And still, they want to take away our games
by Mark Methenitis { Jul 16th 2009 at 6:30PM }
Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:
As of late, it seems I've become sort of a policy spokesman for issues concerning the government intervening in the game industry, especially in the wake of my debate with Jack Thompson. However, the discussion over whether violent content can be policed under the First Amendment is getting tired, and the courts have universally declared "no" at this point. Rather than go down that road again, I want to discuss two new ways that the government could attack games; one of which came up in the debate itself.
The first is probably the more mundane of the two, and it's the seemingly frequent specter of imposing political correctness on games. In fact, this issue came up yet again this week as a discussion related to not just Resident Evil 5, but also Left 4 Dead 2 and Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. Of course, the claims here were racism and cultural insensitivity. The irony is that now that the games themselves are seemingly more inclusive of characters other than white males and large breasted women, the assumption is automatically that use of more diverse settings and characters must have malicious motives, rather than crediting the industry for finally being more inclusive.
The first is probably the more mundane of the two, and it's the seemingly frequent specter of imposing political correctness on games. In fact, this issue came up yet again this week as a discussion related to not just Resident Evil 5, but also Left 4 Dead 2 and Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. Of course, the claims here were racism and cultural insensitivity. The irony is that now that the games themselves are seemingly more inclusive of characters other than white males and large breasted women, the assumption is automatically that use of more diverse settings and characters must have malicious motives, rather than crediting the industry for finally being more inclusive.
Jack Thompson vs. Mark Methenitis debate: The whole shebang
by Ben Gilbert { Jul 16th 2009 at 5:00PM }
For those of you pressed for time like us, SA's got you covered too. They've cut down the whole thing into a more easily digestible 15-minute clip (found after the break). And yes, that is the clip that we watched. Sorry, Internet!
Watch Penn and Teller: Bullshit! video game episode on YouTube
by Justin McElroy { Jul 13th 2009 at 11:00AM }
Right now, you can actually catch the episode on YouTube, though you'll likely want to act fast -- we can't imagine it'll be up for too long.
Thompson vs. Methenitis: 'Because history happens'
by James Ransom-Wiley { Jul 10th 2009 at 6:45PM }
Sporting a gentle grandpa look, Thompson certainly appears (see clip after the break) as an entirely different character than the "internet bogeyman" who has haunted, well ... his own career. While it's a pleasant surprise to see Thompson show up in human form, he's gonna have to do better than forewarn the coming of "the 9/11 event for this industry" (sensational much?) to do any convincing around these parts. Now, excuse us while we take a break to go commit horrific acts of depravity (virtually, of course), and then go back to our ordinary, good-natured lives.
[Image credit: 4Player]
PSA: 'Penn & Teller: Bullshit!' episode on video games airs this week, features Jack Thompson
by Ben Gilbert { Jul 8th 2009 at 5:00AM }
Jack Thompson faces federal disbarment
by Richard Mitchell { Jul 8th 2009 at 1:00AM }
Enter Judge Federico Moreno, who has issued an order to Thompson, asking him to explain why he should not also be barred from the District Court. The order asks that Thompson submit his defense, along with copies of all documents related to his previous disbarment, within 30 days (the order was issued on June 26).
Thompson, reports GamePolitics, is not pleased, and has since sent Moreno an email "request/demand," asking that the judge provide copies of all communications between Moreno and the Florida Bar concerning himself. Once again, it looks like Thompson's legal career is on shaky footing. Still, we doubt another disbarment will put a stop to Thompson's anti-gaming efforts. The first one certainly didn't.
Jack Thompson talks violence, polio with Penn and Teller
by Justin McElroy { Jun 23rd 2009 at 5:30PM }
As you probably guessed, Thompson will be discussing the therapeutic powers of crystal manipulation and -- oh, sorry, wrong episode. No, he'll talk about how bad Grand Theft Auto is and we'll make fun of him for it. Because that's the way it works.
[Via Gay Gamer]
Epilogue: After Utah game bill dies, state rep apologizes for Jack Thompson
by Ben Gilbert { Apr 22nd 2009 at 5:33PM }
Morley writes to his fellow reps that, "[Thompson] doesn't speak for me nor do I condone or appreciate his actions nor some his tactics," seemingly ending his relationship with Thompson. Unsurprisingly, Thompson has responded to Morley's email (also found after the break), claiming, "Mike Morley's apology is ridiculous. I didn't scandalous [sic] anyone with an image of two clad women." He further posits, "Your family values stance is a sham," refererring to the legislators he wrote. We're not sure of many things in politics, but we are sure of this: You probably shouldn't directly insult the people you'd like to support you. While this is likely the last time you'll hear about this Utah bill, we're 100 percent sure this isn't the last time you'll hear from Jack Thompson.
[image source]
Jack Thompson takes his fight to Utah radio
by Ben Gilbert { Apr 7th 2009 at 4:31PM }
As GamePolitics points out, at no point in the show does anyone make note of Thompson's lack of an actual license to practice law or of his disbarring. He is, in fact, introduced as "an attorney from Florida." An odd omission considering the theme of the show is "Truth in Advertising."
Thompson vs. Methenitis: 'Debate of the Century'
by James Ransom-Wiley { Apr 3rd 2009 at 7:35PM }
[Via Law of the Game]
April Fools: Jack Thompson wants government to legalize gamer murder
by Justin McElroy { Apr 1st 2009 at 2:50PM }
A hilarious call for mass murder in the wake of an actual tragedy and a classic literature reference? Be still our hearts.
Utah Governor vetoes video game and movie legislation [update]
by Xav de Matos { Mar 25th 2009 at 8:30PM }
The legislation (HB 353), authored by Jack Thompson and legislator Mike Morle, recently swept the Utah House of Representatives by a 25 to four margin. According to GamePolitics, Jack Thompson claims the backers of the bill will seek an override of the veto.
In a letter explaining his reasons for the veto, Huntsman says HB 353 would likely "be struck down by the courts as an unconstitutional violation of the Dormant Commerce Clause and/or the First Amendment." Huntsman estimates that a possible "unintended consequence" of passing the legislation would be that the industries most affected could choose to forgo the use of "age appropriate labels on goods and services," because of their voluntary nature -- hurting families in the long run. Huntsman full letter can be read after the break.
Update: Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA has responded to the news in a comment, found after the break.
Utah senate passes gaming retail restriction bill
by Griffin McElroy { Mar 12th 2009 at 9:10PM }
We now have three consecutive events to eagerly anticipate -- first, the bill must be approved by Utah governor Jon Huntsman before it's officially adopted. Second, the new policy will go into effect on January 1, 2010. Finally, we wait to hear how the ESA will spend the humongous legal fee reimbursement check that the taxpayers of Utah will indirectly cut when the bill is likely found unconstitutional. Perhaps some sort of tropical outing for their employees? We hear the beaches of Costa Rica are simply breathtaking.
Thompson responds to ESRB letter on Utah legislation
by Justin McElroy { Mar 9th 2009 at 1:49PM }
First, let us say we agree with JT's point that he should be allowed to peruse the audit which claims a 94 percent compliance rate for Utah retailers (it does seem high). But scarcely can we nod our heads in agreement before Jack drops a line like, "Testimony in the U.S. Congress has established that the ESRB doesn't even play the games it rates! " No, Jack, it watches video of the games, because members of the ESRB are not Nintendo Game Play Counselors manning the 1-900 line in the late '80s. They're not trying to boost their Gamerscores, they're doing a boobies check.
He then goes on to complain about the lack of ratings enforcement on the internet, which has nothing to do with the Utah legislation. Finally, Jack doesn't address Vance's most compelling point: Retailers who don't attempt to comply with the ESRB would be utterly unaffected. Lest you think we're nit-picking, we've put the full thing for you after the break.
This may sound nutty, but it's almost nice to see that, after all these years, we're not just vilifying Jack Thompson out of habit.
