Crusader against violent video games becomes violent media himself.

[Invisible Fan]

Jack Thompson is blasted by pro-family group
Rob Fahey 15:32 14/10/2005

National Institute on Media and the Family distances itself from vociferous lawyer

Florida attorney and anti-videogame campaigner Jack Thompson has come under fire from America's National Institute on Media and the Family for claiming to have the support of the group in his regular open letters.

The decision of the group to distance itself from the attorney and his headline-grabbing tactics comes despite the fact that like Thompson, the institute is a vocal critic of games such as Manhunt and 25 to Life for their violent content.

The institute's founder, Dr David Walsh, wrote an open letter to Thompson, a copy of which was obtained by US website Game Politics. The letter was also sent to the likes of senator Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates and Doug Lowenstein of the ESA - the same Doug Lowenstein whom Thompson has previously compared to Hitler.

It begins with Dr Walsh explaining that he established the institute ten years ago "to engage in research and education about the effects of media on children's health and development." Walsh writes that one of the areas of most concern to the institute is the effects of violent media.

"I know that you share that common concern and I am well aware that you have frequently cited me and our organisation as a source of scientific information," Walsh continues.

"However, over the past few months, I and members of my board have a growing concern that your use of our name, without our permission, has had a negative influence as we try to educate the public on this important issue.

"Your commentary has included extreme hyperbole and your tactics have included personally attacking individuals for whom I have a great deal of respect... Some of the people that you have publicly criticised are not only people of integrity, but are people who have worked to improve the lives of children."

Walsh goes on to note that Thompson has been using his name in correspondence even though they have no formal relationship, creating the impression "That we condone these tactics. We do not.

"The result is that our position and reputation as a research based, non-partisan, solution-focused organisation has been jeopardised.

"Consequently, I ask that you cease using the institute's or my name in any way that would give the impression that we support your efforts." Walsh also requests that Thompson remove the link to the institute's website from his own site.

Walsh's letter comes just days after Thompson issued an open letter to the videogames industry in which he outlined his idea for a game where the CEO of fictional company Take This, Paula Eibel, is murdered along with her husband and children. Should any developer agree to make the game, Thompson will donate $10,000 to the charity of choice of Paul Eibeler, the CEO of Take Two.

Mike Krahulik, the artist behind popular gaming culture comic Penny-Arcade and a founder of the hugely successful Child's Play charity, contacted Thompson after he made this offer to point out that Child's Play has raised over half a million dollars for children's hospitals around the USA since its inception.

Commenting on Penny-Arcade.com, Krahulik reports that Thompson proceeded to call him directly - keen, no doubt, to congratulate such a successful fellow organiser of videogaming-related charity efforts.

Or perhaps not. "Jack actually just called and screamed at me for a couple minutes," Krahulik said. "He said if I email him again I will 'regret it'. What a violent man."

[KingCheetah]

Crusader against violent video games becomes violent media himself
_____________

[RC Cola]

I think Jack Thompson is crazy...literally. Everything I hear/read about him is so bizarre and strange. Supposedly, somebody emailed him and told him that he was a gamer, but he turned out normal. Jack's response was "How do you know you're normal? You most likely are not." And of course, there are stories like the ones on Penny-Arcade which are funny and disturbing as well. Even some of the non-video game stuff he's said is crazy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Th...%28attorney%29

In 1988 Thompson was the unsuccessful GOP challenger to Janet Reno for the Office of Dade County State Attorney. Following this, as the "Man in Miami" for NewsMax.com, he made a series of bizarre allegations [1] regarding Reno, met with incredulity in the press [2] [3], claiming that she was a closet lesbian suffering from various mental disorders as side effects of Parkinson's medication, and that she was being blackmailed by the Mafia.

It is funny to see even the groups against violent video games turn their backs on him.

[RC Cola]

This is just hilarious:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/

Perhaps you read the letter from the National Institute on Media and the Family in which they distance themselves from Jack Thompson. Well Jack has responded to that letter with two letters of his own. He makes some vague legal threats which I have come to discover are sort of his bread and butter. You also get the impression after reading his letters that he believes he was cut loose simply because he is too “hardkore”. I think we can all agree that young kids should not play violent videogames. I think we can also agree that they should not watch violent movies or read pornographic magazines. That’s a job for parents not Jack Thompson. You’re all asking me for Jack’s Email and or phone number and I respect that. The problem is that I can’t give that info out. The fact is that Jack had time to call me after I sent him a sarcastic email. I have no doubt in my mind that he would try and pull some legal bull**** if I post his phone number. Did I ever mention how much I like VG cats?

It was only a matter of time until a mod team took Jack Thompson's disgusting revenge fantasy and made it flesh - and, just as I suggested, it was deemed insufficient. Thompson now claims that his repellent suggestion was "satire," and we must conclude that his financial offer was also satire, some new breed of satire apparently that I'm sure is just hilarious to people in need. You know what, Jack? We're going to be the men you're not. You said that your insulting, illusory ten thousand dollars would go to the charity of Paul Eibeler's choice. We've got a good guess that he'd direct your nonexistant largesse toward The Entertainment Software Association Foundation, a body that has raised over six point seven million dollars over the last eight years. We've just made the donation you never would, and never meant to. Ten thousand dollars' worth. And we made it in your name. (CW)TB

I don't have all the links in the quotes, but you can check them out at their site.

[rhadamanthus]

http://croqaudile.com/?article_id=10299

Thompson loses an email argument with a 14 yr old kid. Resorts to calling him names after he is made to look a fool.

What an idiot.

[Invisible Fan]

What a freak...
http://www.livejournal.com/users/gam...cs/107741.html

Reached for comment, Jack Thompson e-mailed GP, "I'm not interested and won't be commenting on the mod. The satirical piece entitled 'A Modest Video Game Proposal' was intended to highlight the patent hypocrisy and recklessness exhibited by the video game industry's willingness to target cops, women, homosexuals, and other groups with some of their violent games. To be fair, though, you can't expect a bunch of gamers to understand the satire if they think that Jonathon Swift, the author of 'A Modest Proposal,' is the name of a new Nike running shoe... ...I will say this though, the 'video game community' (what's next, 'the necromancy community'?) surely seems exercised about someone who is a 'joke' and who is accomplishing nothing. You all seem rather bothered and worried about a nonentity. God is in this battle, and I am privileged to be a foot soldier. You all should be concerned, not about me, but about Him."

[rhadamanthus]

http://www.livejournal.com/users/gam...cs/110152.html

The man is losing it. Now calling the cops...

[MR. MEOWGI]

Ultimately, I think violent games do plant seeds of violence in the mind.

But I play them anyway.

[Agent27]

Anybody else want to design a violent video game where you go around law offices and courthouses murdering lawyers?

[bnb]

I can't possibly believe video games influence behaviour.

I mean...if images on a screen influence the way we act, companies like Nike would pay gaziollions just to have their logo plastered everywhere....

perhaps Mr THompson is proof of his own theory about the games???

[Bullard4Life]

Originally Posted by MR. MEOWGI Ultimately, I think violent games do plant seeds of violence in the mind.

Video games don't cause violence and I'll kill anyone who says otherwise!

I don't know if video games plant the seeds, but I think they can exacerbate predispositions towards violence. I also think that they can serve as a safety valve to allow kids to blow off steam. I know plenty of guys that blow **** up on GTA to get their frustrations out. Of course, others like to go to the gym.

[JayZ750]

That sure is one interesting fellow. Why does anybody pay attention to him is beyond me, though.

[Drexlerfan22]

Originally Posted by JayZ750 That sure is one interesting fellow. Why does anybody pay attention to him is beyond me, though.

Why do people slow down to look at car wrecks?

Same reason: morbid fascination.

[hotballa]

hahah, I love it when hypocrites get exposed!

[rhadamanthus]

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20051019-5458.html

Bwahahahaa.

At this point, the nerds swung into action. Penny Arcade forum members wrote, edited and sent letters and faxes to the Florida Bar Association detailing Thompson's activities and urging the review of his license to practice law. Jack Thompson has already received a reprimand by the FBA for his antics in 1998, and according to a spokesperson, the letters and faxes have been received and forwarded to the disciplinary committee.