gamepolitics: EDITORIAL: NIMF's David Walsh Nailed It Regarding Thompson

Game Politics (

gamepolitics) wrote,
@ 2005-10-16 11:47:00

EDITORIAL: NIMF's David Walsh Nailed It Regarding Thompson

Timing is everything - and scribe Aaron McKenna's could hardly be worse.

"In Defence of Jack Thompson" ran in the online pub TG Daily yesterday, just 24 hours after Dr. David Walsh (left) of the National Institute for Media and the Family showed Thompson's behavior to be indefensible.

In a two-page letter published exclusively in Friday's edition of GamePolitics, Walsh disavowed Thompson, excoriating the self-described "anti-game crusader" for "extreme hyperbole and... personally attacking individuals..."

Now, GP is not one to kick a person while they're down, but Thompson's stock has never been lower, and deservedly so.

The bottom line? NIMF's David Walsh got this one right.

Walsh said exactly what needed to be said, and he was exactly the right person to say it. Gamers and gaming publications, of course, have long parried with Thompson. But it took a highly respected member of what some might term "the other side" of the game content debate to bring a measure of civility back to the equation.

Thompson's insults, volatility, and bully tactics are hard to fathom. His act is not only ineffective, it's counter-productive, as David Walsh clearly recognized. Calling for the arrest of Bill Gates... demonizing the ESA's Doug Lowenstein... publicly announcing a dubious Florida policy initiative without consulting Jeb Bush... Trashing a beloved game franchise like The Sims on the flimsiest basis... Insulting gamers, the gaming press and mainstream journalists...

Is that how grown-ups get things done?

Jack's volumes of outrageous comments and trail of burned bridges have essentially left him an island unto himself. What are the chances Jeb Bush will call on him after the recent video game law fiasco? Will Hillary Clinton ever again ask him for input after he publicly trashed her? And of course it's clear that he won't be on the guest list for this year's NIMF Christmas party.

All of the above is not to say that Jack Thompson never has a valid point. But his message was long ago obscured in a vitriolic cloud of his own creation.

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Heeeey!

jaimas
2005-10-16 06:11 pm UTC (link)

Long time reader, first time responder. Long-time supporter of your work, GP. You rock.

Anyway, I got a juicy tidbit for you. Apparently, Jackyboy appears to have LOST HIS MIND. Check out this article on Spong.Com regarding the "game idea" Thompson posed recently.

http://news.spong.com/detail/news.asp?prid=9201&cb=0.8869396

You know, I thought I knew what messed-up was until I read that. Clearly Thompson has unresolved issues, and clearly they exploded out in a rather amusing manner. I recommend bracing yourself before reading this article in its entirety; Thompson's colorful descriptions and such in there are the kind of thing capable of inducing nausea.

Definitely worth a read. Keep posting, and fighting the good fight, GP. Peace out!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Heeeey! jabrwock 2005-10-16 06:37 pm UTC (link)
	Check out this article on Spong.Com regarding the "game idea" Thompson posed recently. Already covered. :) Scroll down for a mod group that responded to Jack's "Modest Proposal"... (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: Heeeey! -

marbledog, 2005-10-16 08:33 pm UTC

Re: Heeeey! -

mrfalcon, 2005-10-16 10:12 pm UTC

Re: Heeeey! -

marbledog, 2005-10-16 11:23 pm UTC

	i_am_stillwater 2005-10-16 06:26 pm UTC (link)
	will throw away my moderate stance and say this, "Damn Straight." (Reply to this) (Thread)

	gamepolitics 2005-10-16 06:47 pm UTC (link)
	Hey, consider myself moderate in these issues as well. But this had to be said. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Well... -

i_am_stillwater, 2005-10-16 06:53 pm UTC

(no subject) -

mrfalcon, 2005-10-16 10:24 pm UTC

	Well... _jeckel 2005-10-16 06:38 pm UTC (link)
	Now he's lost his lifelines, now that Dennis is (by my knowledge from this) no longler neutral, he's lost Clinton, Walsh, Houser, everyone...! He's screwed himslef by compairing himslef to soldiers fighting for their beliefs and said that God is on his side, and not the gamer's, so he is getting expidentiality f*cked everyday now.. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Well... gamepolitics 2005-10-16 06:46 pm UTC (link)
	Actually, I still consider myself neutral. You need to be to do this. But sometimes you just need to take an editorial position. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Well... -

_jeckel, 2005-10-16 09:08 pm UTC

	kilika_stryfe 2005-10-16 06:46 pm UTC (link)
	Rock on. This is the news that I've been waiting to hear for a looonnnnggg time. Thank you Jack, for shooting yourself in the foot with a shotgun. (Reply to this)

Comparison between UK (& Canada) & proposed US systems

jabrwock
2005-10-16 07:23 pm UTC (link)

First off I just want to say that McKenna's piece more sounded like a "US system doesn't work, and JT agrees with me" kind of story, rather than an "attacks on JT are unjustified". He barely devoted 1/3 of his article to criticising the current fashion of reporting on Jack's actions. The rest was about points where him and JT see eye to eye, rather than addressing *why* people are ranting about Jack.

That said, I'd like to address something he brought up, namely how "efficient" the UK system is (and by proxy the Canadian system, both restrict certain age groups from buying certain movies and games). Unlike the US videogame legislation proposals, which try to define violence in the same way that pornography is, UK & Canadian systems purposefully leave those definitions vague. The reason? The UK/Cdn systems have a review board, which is set up to rate the games, much like the ESRB. In Canada the review boards for each region, for ease of use, simply mirror the ratings system the ESRB & MPAA use, to keep from confusing parents & retailers. Ratings are changed if the board sees a need. There are small diffences, such as the presence of 14A (slightly harsher than PG13, but not quite R/18A). The restrictions are also region specific, so if someone wanted to buy a game online, and the company is in Ontario, they'd use Ontario's age restrictions only, to avoid confusion. The assumption is that online purchases are mainly done with credit card, and only adults can legally have credit cards, so it's a non-issue. The US system does not have provisions set up for a review board in their current legislation, so it is left up to retailers/distributers to interpret the definitions, and the courts, if someone disagrees. This means that there's no certainty, and so retailers refuse to stock certain themes of games "just in case".

Plus there's also the whole "parents don't pay attention anyway", so having the strictest age restrictions on the planet won't make a lick of difference if the parents don't actually bother to read the rating, because parents are the ones doing most of the buying. But that's a whole different issue...

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Comparison between UK (& Canada) & proposed US systems tsknf 2005-10-16 07:25 pm UTC (link)
	As I've already said, since I live in the UK, the rating system here makes not a single lick of sense. It is the parent's lack of responsibility and ignorance of games, not the rating system, that is the problem. (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: Comparison between UK (& Canada) & proposed US systems - (Anonymous), 2005-10-19 05:04 pm UTC

Re: Comparison between UK (& Canada) & proposed US systems -

jabrwock, 2005-10-19 05:14 pm UTC

Bottom Line

automancer
2005-10-16 07:48 pm UTC (link)

If only there were a way for me to see Jack Thompson in another light, I might actually think he wasn't a decent guy. On the same token I sometimes wish that Jack Thompson would see me not as a gamer, but as a regular guy. The difference between me and Mr. Thompson may be that I have the desire to see this "average joe" side of him to reassure me that he is somebody I can find some commonality with, but I don't think that Mr. Thompson wants the see that side in me at all, he want's to find my flaws to make me look bad instead of praising the good traits I have. Discouragement hurts those you want to help.

-Auto

(Reply to this)

Jack Thompson Responds
(Anonymous)
2005-10-16 08:17 pm UTC (link)

This would be a good editorial if it were based on the facts. I note that Dennis McCauley has, for four days, refused to return my phone calls. Nice try, Dennis but is "editorial" is justmore of the same from a professional apologist for the games industry. Your more effective editorials are the ones masquerading as news stories.

Dave Walsh is the one who has accomplished absolutely nothing. On his watch, while delivering his Annual Video Game Report Cards, games have become more violent and more widely distributed to more kids. He was tapped for this job by Al Gore, as a recent Pioneer Press profile on Walsh points out, and the liberal approach of labeling an evil and expecting a label to take care of the evil shows. Remember the infamous PMRC "Tipper Stickers" by Al Gore's wife. Totally counterproductive.

The facts, which have not been fully and fairly reported here, are that Dave Walsh had no problem with my "tactics" when he collaborated closely with me on the Hot Coffee matter. He was going to do absolutely nothing about it until I encouraged him to. I got Walsh on 60 Minutes in March and July, and he was so excited about that that he had no problem with my tactics then.

Finally, Walsh, failing to talk to me directly about my alleged use of his name (I have never suggested Walsh endorsed me in any fashion) did not go public, to Doug Lowenstein no less)with his bogus request until I asked him for an affidavit to be used in our Alabama case THE VERY SAME DAY.

Walsh did his knife job because he realized he could not give me that affidavit without jeopardizing his funding by Target and Best Buy, whom I am presently suing.

Follow the money, you game nerds. You might learn something in the process. Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Jack Thompson Responds

_jeckel
2005-10-16 09:17 pm UTC (link)

I note that Dennis McCauley has, for four days, refused to return my phone calls. Nice try, Dennis but is "editorial" is justmore of the same from a professional apologist for the games industry. Your more effective editorials are the ones masquerading as news stories.
Dennis? Your say?

On his watch, while delivering his Annual Video Game Report Cards, games have become more violent and more widely distributed to more kids.
Oh really? Well, that is more of a matter of opinion...

Buy, whom I am presently suing.
YAY!!!!!!! More suits!!!!!!! [sarcasm]

Follow the money, you game nerds. You might learn something in the process.
??? We have, and we don't need to learn anymore, YOU are the one in need of a good eaducation...

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

blkmage, 2005-10-16 09:18 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

ace_ofspade, 2005-10-16 09:39 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

cowboybeboper42, 2005-10-16 09:23 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

kilika_stryfe, 2005-10-16 10:04 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

illspirit, 2005-10-16 10:18 pm UTC

I followed the money - (Anonymous), 2005-10-16 10:21 pm UTC

Re: I followed the money -

kilika_stryfe, 2005-10-16 10:42 pm UTC

Re: I followed the money -

_jeckel, 2005-10-16 10:54 pm UTC

Re: I followed the money -

quartermaine, 2005-10-16 11:09 pm UTC

Re: I followed the money -

litagemini, 2005-10-17 04:46 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

catch_33, 2005-10-16 10:26 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds - (Anonymous), 2005-10-16 10:38 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

mrfalcon, 2005-10-16 10:47 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

kilika_stryfe, 2005-10-16 10:50 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

hudsonshrk, 2005-10-16 10:58 pm UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

metoollhead, 2005-10-16 11:07 pm UTC

HilaryDuff Gta Responds To jack's Stupidity -

hilaryduffgta, 2005-10-17 12:20 am UTC

Jack Thompson thinks he's Deep Throat -

jabrwock, 2005-10-17 01:00 am UTC

Re: My Response to Wacko Jacko - (Anonymous), 2005-10-17 02:03 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds

shatterjack
2005-10-16 10:13 pm UTC (link)

"This would be a good editorial if it were based on the facts."

It is. It's a provable fact that you consistently engage in ad hominem attacks on anyone who disagrees with your anti-game agenda. This fact is the basis of Walsh's publicly washing his hands of you, and of McCauley's editorial.

"I note that Dennis McCauley has, for four days, refused to return my phone calls."

McCauley has demonstrated that he is prepared to prove that he did in fact call you.

"Nice try, Dennis but is "editorial" is justmore of the same from a professional apologist for the games industry."

Nice try, Jack, but this is just more of the same from an unprofessional advocate of the freedom-fearing nanny-state.

Furthermore, a casual browsing of GP will show that McCauley is perfectly capable of criticizing the industry. And unlike you, he does it competently and effectively.

"Dave Walsh is the one who has accomplished absolutely nothing."

Then why were you so keen to cite his organization as a source of information? Either you considered the information to be bogus but chose to use it anyway, or you are suddenly declaring the grapes to be sour.

"On his watch, while delivering his Annual Video Game Report Cards, games have become more violent and more widely distributed to more kids."

It isn't "his watch". Walsh does not and cannot control the nature of the video game market.

And you ought to be careful of stating that it is. Because unlike Walsh, you have been trying to exert control over the games industry. If Walsh's efforts have been a failure, yours have been exponentially more so.

"He was tapped for this job by Al Gore, as a recent Pioneer Press profile on Walsh points out..."

An irrelevant associative ad hominem argument. Your efforts at distraction will not work here.

"...and the liberal approach of labeling an evil and expecting a label to take care of the evil shows."

Hello, pot? This is the kettle. Yer black.

One of the hallmarks of the conservative philosophy is personal responsibility and the belief in small government. Your insistence that the state must do parents' jobs for them is far more liberal than you care to admit.

"Remember the infamous PMRC "Tipper Stickers" by Al Gore's wife. Totally counterproductive."

Your childish tantrums are equally counterproductive.

"The facts, which have not been fully and fairly reported here, are that Dave Walsh had no problem with my 'tactics' when he collaborated closely with me on the Hot Coffee matter. He was going to do absolutely nothing about it until I encouraged him to. I got Walsh on 60 Minutes in March and July, and he was so excited about that that he had no problem with my tactics then."

Your antics were considerably less public at the time. In the few short months since Hot Coffee, your antics have come to make you an embarrassment to your own cause. Furthemore, it has become increasingly apparent from your own words and actions that you are not satisfied with Walsh's goal of educating parents, and seek to exert governmental control over what entertainment may be consumed by kids and adults alike. The only surprising thing about Walsh's efforts to distance himself from you is that it took this long to happen.

"Finally, Walsh, failing to talk to me directly about my alleged use of his name (I have never suggested Walsh endorsed me in any fashion) did not go public, to Doug Lowenstein no less)with his bogus request until I asked him for an affidavit to be used in our Alabama case THE VERY SAME DAY.

Walsh did his knife job because he realized he could not give me that affidavit without jeopardizing his funding by Target and Best Buy, whom I am presently suing."

Doubtful. More likely he did it because he has realized that you are a liability. Hell, you ought to get commission checks from Rockstar.

"Follow the money, you game nerds. You might learn something in the process."

You'll excuse me if I don't take advice on learning from someone who adamantly refuses to learn anything about his so-called enemy.

(Reply to this)

*yawn*

illspirit
2005-10-16 10:14 pm UTC (link)

This "in defense" article is coming from the same guy who started the rumour about GTA4 having hardcore sex scenes in it, slamming R* in the proccess. Clicky). This unfounded rumour snowballed to various sites, and research on it (and a quick e-mail to R*) showed it was total rubbish. Clicky. And then my friend Steve e-mailed Mr. McKenna, and found out he pretty much pulled the story out of his ass. Clicky.

So, erm, yea, we're being accused of jumping blindly on the anti-Jack bandwagon by some dude who's helping to drive the anti-R* bandwagon. I've seen a few of his posts on The Inquirer where he bashes R* at the drop of a hat. Like this one.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: yawn gamepolitics 2005-10-16 10:23 pm UTC (link)
	Illy - I let Aaron know of your comments and invited him to respond. -GP (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: *yawn* -

catch_33, 2005-10-16 10:29 pm UTC

Re: *yawn* - (Anonymous), 2005-10-16 11:35 pm UTC

Re: *yawn* -

catch_33, 2005-10-16 11:56 pm UTC

Re: *yawn* -

illspirit, 2005-10-17 07:26 am UTC

Re: *yawn* - (Anonymous), 2005-10-17 08:21 am UTC

Re: *yawn* -

yukimurasanada, 2005-10-17 11:48 am UTC

Re: *yawn* -

illspirit, 2005-10-18 06:46 pm UTC

Loser

catch_33
2005-10-16 10:51 pm UTC (link)

JT's career is days away from being completely ruined. How do I know? I don't. But it's only logical. You can't act like a maniacal, childish, old coot with the IQ of a fruit bat and expect no one to notice, especially those who truly matter, like Dr. Walsh. NIMF was just about the only ally JT really had, and he pissed it away because of his delusional assumption that what he's doing is right. What'll he have when the media won't touch him anymore? Nothing, because that's the only way he can spread his message without someone there to rip it to shreds. And if his message dies, the fear will die, and so too shall the attempts of politicians at appealing to parents through game legislation.

It's almost checkmate JT. Your move.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Loser kilika_stryfe 2005-10-16 10:57 pm UTC (link)
	Chess makes JT's head hurt. Maybe you should play him in a game of checkers. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Loser -

hudsonshrk, 2005-10-16 11:00 pm UTC

Jacks Future -

hudsonshrk, 2005-10-16 11:04 pm UTC

Re: Jacks Future -

cowboybeboper42, 2005-10-17 12:09 am UTC

Re: Jacks Future -

i11umin8ted, 2005-10-17 06:19 pm UTC

Re: Loser -

catch_33, 2005-10-16 11:04 pm UTC

Re: Loser -

cowboybeboper42, 2005-10-17 12:11 am UTC

	Isn't pride a sin? quartermaine 2005-10-16 11:04 pm UTC (link)
	Jack has so much of it, he can't admit when he's lost. Whatever, it is simply more nails in the coffin of his agenda. Swallow your pride Jack, you might learn something. (Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Isn't pride a sin?

catch_33
2005-10-16 11:17 pm UTC (link)

JT's sins a lot actually. He lies, take's the lord's name in vain, and is too proud to admit when he's wrong, which is all the time. And is his crusade is in the name of God. Yep, he's definitely heading for Hell. He won't repent, because he sees what he's doing as right.

Then again, I don't believe in all that. But since he is in fact Christian, shouldn't he believe in this? Shouldn't it mean something to him? Yes. But it doesn't, and that will be his downfall. Can't say he doesn't deserve it. After all, what can you expect if you consider yourself to be equal to Jesus Christ?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Isn't pride a sin? -

quartermaine, 2005-10-16 11:20 pm UTC

Re: Isn't pride a sin? -

catch_33, 2005-10-16 11:27 pm UTC

Re: Isn't pride a sin? - (Anonymous), 2005-10-17 02:25 am UTC

Re: Isn't pride a sin? -

kilika_stryfe, 2005-10-16 11:21 pm UTC

	Jack - Lost Credibility jacque_q 2005-10-16 11:11 pm UTC (link)
	HAHA Jack. You'v been so much of an asshole your allies don't even want to be aligned with you! I guess you can keep yelling and belittling people, but you should note that no one will be listening. (Reply to this)

Gamer Nerds?
(Anonymous)
2005-10-16 11:12 pm UTC (link)

"Follow the money, you game nerds. You might learn something in the process. Jack Thompson"

Game Nerd: (Adj) A nerd who plays games.

I have a Cumulative 3.57 High School GPA in one of the toughest public school grading scales in the country, take 2 AP courses, am a member of the FBLA, and Business Honors Society, and I want to major in Computer Science once I get into college. I also happen to enjoy video games.
So I should qualify as a "game nerd", right. In that case, I'll take Nerd as a compliment. Gamers are a lot smarter than you give them credit for.

By those standards, game "nerds", as you pathetically put it, are much smarter than you give them credit for. See Jack, nerds don't do drugs, are not "manchurian children," and actually have their own "ideas."

I know this is difficult to wrap you're brain around, Jack, but If you're going to use your ad hominum crap, at least do it right. The only people I ever heard use the term "nerd" in a derogatory sense like you just have, are dumbasses who want to prove they're tough, and like to shout. The last person to call me that,

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Gamer Nerds? (Anonymous) 2005-10-17 12:09 am UTC (link)
	cont... ended up being sent to boarding school because of his piss-poor academic performances. I'm not sure why it cut off the last part of my comment. (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: Gamer Nerds? -

cowboybeboper42, 2005-10-17 12:12 am UTC

Re: Gamer Nerds? -

shaun_skipper, 2005-10-17 04:13 am UTC

	Why in the heck? quartermaine 2005-10-16 11:26 pm UTC (link)
	Is it true that Best Buy and Target fund NIMF? If so, why? Don't they realize they're potentially hurting themselves? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Why in the heck? catch_33 2005-10-16 11:31 pm UTC (link)
	NIMF isn't the enemy. They want to educate, and that's the best way for the industry to tackle the anti-gamers. And as to JT's accusations, the industry funds organizations like that because of their stance on things, not to sway their opinions in that direction. (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: Why in the heck? - (Anonymous), 2005-10-17 01:39 am UTC

	Dear Mr. Thompson blkmage 2005-10-17 12:54 am UTC (link)
	I ask that you cease using God's name in any way that would give the impression that He supports your efforts. (Reply to this)

	Dennis, where is my letter to Senator Lieberman... (Anonymous) 2005-10-17 02:07 am UTC (link)
	about this fraud by Dave Walsh? Jack Thompson (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Dennis, where is my letter to Senator Lieberman... gamepolitics 2005-10-17 02:32 am UTC (link)
	Posting that on Monday. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Dennis, where is my letter to Senator Lieberman... -

catch_33, 2005-10-17 04:34 am UTC

Re: letter whining? -

jabrwock, 2005-10-17 06:18 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds

marbledog
2005-10-17 02:27 am UTC (link)

Frankly, I'm a little disappointed. I'm not shocked, just disappointed.

The amount of vitriol leveled against Jack Thompson on this site and across the gaming community is absolutely astounding. Truly, is this all we're capable of? Must every debate in America be reduced to name-calling? It's utterly counter-productive. It seems to me that Thompson has been hung up as a pinata and the gaming community has affixed to him the face of every bully who ever walked the halls of America's high schools. Do we really want to make a martyr out of this man?

Please don't misinterpret this stance as apologism on Thompson's behalf. I don't agree with anything that I've ever read by him. His politics are reactive and inflammatory. His information is misrepresented and often incorrect. His tone is instigatory and abusive. My comment above concerning his mental state was made in all earnestness. As a medical professional, having read much of his commentary and correspondence in the past, I am led to conclude that his view of the world is significantly divorced from reality.

However...

None of these conditions, compounded or separate, justify the self-righteous and invective tone presented by the gaming world at large. Put simply, we should know better. Speaking statistically, gamers are more intelligent than the general population. We like to think of ourselves as intellectuals, thinkers, and problem solvers, yet we still resort to these types of tactics when angered. Anger has never solved mankind's problems. Never. Anger begets anger. Rationalism begets solutions. Let us be rational. Continuing an argument with someone who is demonstrably wrong is simply wasted energy. It's like urinating on a severed brain stem. It may make you feel better, but it really doesn't affect the brain stem one way or the other.

We can disprove the bad data; we can promote personal expression; we can work to change the views of our society. Everything else is commentary, easily ignored. In asking this of my friends, perhaps I am asking too much. I would hope not.

Thank you for reading.

Marbledog

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Jack Thompson Responds

yukimurasanada
2005-10-17 02:42 am UTC (link)

While I don't disagree with you in most cases ,I must say this much.

Jack Thompson has earned the hatred you see sent his way.

We have been disproving his idiot ramblings and falsified claims for as long as I have been apart of GP.

It is not we who are self rightous or invective. Many of us would be more then happy to have a civil debate. But jack has made it abundantly clear that he has intention of doing so.

Jack Refuses to listen when people disprove his arguments and show him information that goes counter to his claims. He willfully uses gods name in vain claiming this to be a holy war.

We all know the truth.

Jack Thompson is a selfish and egotistical parasite. He had the chance to make peace with the industry. But he burned those bridges long ago.

Yes, we hate him, and you know what?

The douchebag has earned it.

Don't you dare judge us till you actually see the extent of his hatred and idiocy as we have. Then and only then, will you have the knoweldge needed to understand why jack is so hated by the game community.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

shatterjack, 2005-10-17 03:11 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

marbledog, 2005-10-17 03:22 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

catch_33, 2005-10-17 04:21 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

marbledog, 2005-10-17 04:49 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

automancer, 2005-10-17 05:28 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

hilaryduffgta, 2005-10-17 06:54 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds - (Anonymous), 2005-10-17 03:13 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

litagemini, 2005-10-17 04:42 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

catch_33, 2005-10-17 04:44 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

marbledog, 2005-10-17 04:51 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

timali, 2005-10-17 11:27 am UTC

Re: Jack Thompson Responds -

gamepolitics, 2005-10-17 11:32 am UTC

This is all a distraction..

karmakin
2005-10-17 05:26 am UTC (link)

Of a personal, political and social nature.

Personal:People wanting to feel like they're doing the right thing, in such a way that requires no actual sacrifice.

Political:People looking to suck up political oxygen so actual problems never get fixed, meaning they never have to sacrifice.

Social:People looking to hurt those they view as being beneath them, in order to climb the social ladder. How ironic that one of the targets is a game called "Bully", when it's this nature of our competitve society that creates the problem of bullying to begin with.

This is all about a society that hates to sacrifice, and believes in going "up or out". This is not a good thing people. And when we're fighting this fight for video games, we're really fighting a battle for true morality. By fighting for amoral pastimes, we open the door for people to fight for true morality as well.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Eh? (Anonymous) 2005-10-17 05:48 am UTC (link)
	Please expand on: "And when we're fighting this fight for video games, we're really fighting a battle for true morality. By fighting for amoral pastimes, we open the door for people to fight for true morality as well." (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Eh? -

karmakin, 2005-10-17 02:18 pm UTC

Warriors come out to plaaaay!

catch_33
2005-10-17 06:00 am UTC (link)

I know this is off-topic, but it's worth mentioning. I just saw the commercial for Rockstar's The Warriors for the first time. I don't know if it's the first time it's been played on TV, but it looked awesome. Near the end, there were two dudes standing a on a rooftop, one of them went "Boo!" to the other, and he fell off the roof.

I'd also like to point out that if this is the commercial's premiere, it was at 11:00pm, pacific time. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it JT.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Warriors come out to plaaaay! hilaryduffgta 2005-10-17 06:47 am UTC (link)
	Lol well i might as well pretend to be Jack thompson here for a second "young man i dont care what time it was that commercial came on television..Children watch television dammit why are they showing those ads on something that is for children..well if u will execuse me im gonna go bang my Dog." Lmao ok that was fun..back to world of warcraft (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: Warriors come out to plaaaay! -

jabrwock, 2005-10-17 06:26 pm UTC

Thank You, Marbledog.

noreallife2
2005-10-17 11:11 am UTC (link)

The comments made by Marbledog made me stop and review my intentions.

When I first learned of JT and some of his beliefs, I found GP. It is very easy to "go with the flow" and spew negativity right back at Jack, and I am not certain I refrained from doing that. I did e-mail an image to Dennis of Jack with devil horns and yellow eyes and thought it was funny.
When posting, I can never type in my first thoughts, because they are almost always judgmental or derogatory. Jack makes is easy to hate him. Is he aware that G4TV is always mocking him? I wonder how all this will end?
Mr. Thompson, I am still praying for you that you find peace, are you still praying for the children? Maybe the best thing for you to do would be just to walk away from your TV and PC and enjoy your family.

The bottom line: Protect the Children.

G4TV is advertising "Special Report - Violence in Video Games" 10-26-05 (Dennis, I'll tape this - do you want a VCR copy?)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Thank You, Marbledog. gamepolitics 2005-10-17 11:29 am UTC (link)
	Hey, Mar... No worries on the copy. I can get a digitral from G4. Thx tho' (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Thank You, Marbledog. -

noreallife2, 2005-10-17 11:44 am UTC

Re: Thank You, Marbledog. -

marbledog, 2005-10-17 12:44 pm UTC

A comment long overdue

yukimurasanada
2005-10-17 11:40 am UTC (link)

Ok, sorry for the extreme delay. Well, as always, dennis nails it. However, I've been reading and listening to a couple of different podcasts, and a few other things as well, something has clicked that made me understand something

Jack Thompson is not a threat.

The real threat, is the mainstream media. JT, on his own, is a psycho, something we all agree on. But on his own, he destroys his own arguments with almost no efforts. It's the Mainstream media, with there lack of integrity, that gives this insane bible thumper and form of real credibility.

It's an indication that news programs care less about truth, and more about ratings. I'm sure you all know about the "ambushed on Donahue" event, as well as other horror stories about have game industry supports, like doctor henry jenkins, where assualted on tv in an effort to make games seem evil, and boost the shows raiting.

This is what we need to focus on. The mainsteam media is afraid of games, cause every year we grow stronger, and tv and movies loose more and more of there audience. They aren't blameless, lets face it, most movies coming out right now aren't worth watching, with rare exceptions, and TV, I haven't watched any tv but law and order and wrestling in months.

Jack alone is nothing, and it we focus on him, we waste energy. Mainstream media is who we should go after, get them to seek the truth,rather then just let a windbag like JT spout his lies and misinformation.

Anyway, I have to work tomarow, so I might not post again till late tomarow night. I expect to see lots of awesome posts about jacks letter to Sen. Schumer of whatever his name is.

Good night all, and rest well

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: A comment long overdue

jabrwock
2005-10-17 06:22 pm UTC (link)

Jack alone is nothing, and it we focus on him, we waste energy. Mainstream media is who we should go after, get them to seek the truth,rather then just let a windbag like JT spout his lies and misinformation.

Good point, but as long as we keep showing how the media's little darling (remember, he was on 60 Minutes, Lou Dobbs, and Nancy Grace!) is a loon, maybe eventually the media will find someone a little less... extremist?

I completely agree that the media just feeds the fire to boost their own ratings (every time a local news runs a "shocking report" on how there's 1 ppm death in everything you eat!). That's why I take everything from american news stations with a grain of salt.

Now if Discovery channel started airing shows talking about the effects of violence in media, *then* I think I'd actually listen. But they know better. They've shown how 2 year olds, lacking in impulse control, or a realisation of how their actions can affect others, are the most violent humans on the planet. But without reasonable evidence, they wouldn't go around claiming that violent media *causes* violence.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: A comment long overdue -

kignofpei, 2005-10-17 11:44 pm UTC

	beelzebozo 2005-10-17 04:34 pm UTC (link)
	Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. The video games rating system is based on the movie ratings system, with just as much silliness. 'R' rated movies are rated 17 and up. 'NC-17' is 18+. Same problem. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	jabrwock 2005-10-17 05:38 pm UTC (link)
	The video games rating system is based on the movie ratings system, with just as much silliness. 'R' rated movies are rated 17 and up. 'NC-17' is 18+. Same problem. Yes I've never understood why they rant about the M vs. AO, but never R vs. NC-17. Presumbably because even with an adult present, kids can't get into NC-17 movies. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) -

beelzebozo, 2005-10-17 06:57 pm UTC

(no subject) -

jabrwock, 2005-10-17 07:09 pm UTC

Speaking of INQ "reporters"

jabrwock
2005-10-17 05:22 pm UTC (link)

It's an older story, but INQ claimed not only that Jeb asked JT to write legislation, but that Jeb AND Arnold have listened to Jack. It makes it seem like JT, not Yee, was responsible for the California draft... They seem to be writing editorials in the guise of actual news stories.

While there had been some debate about whether or not Thompson had been asked [by Jeb] to draft the statute or not, it looks as though it had not only been asked for but has now already been accepted in California. The email refers to his having been asked to "craft the attached". Jack Thompson's zealous war on violence in games seems to be turning.

...

So, our two favourite time travellers are united. Jack Thompson from a more enlightened age and helping keep us on track, has teamed up with Governator Schwarzenegger, having travelled back from a grim post-apocalyptic future where video games fight humans at every turn, to ensure that our children are not corrupted by violence, or indeed, sexually explicit material, in interactive entertainment.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=26812

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Speaking of INQ "reporters" (Anonymous) 2005-10-17 07:31 pm UTC (link)
	I know the author of that piece quite well, and I think he had more than a note of cynacism in his voice writing that. Either way, INQ also covered (under my watch) the tiff between Gov Bush's press office and Thompson, and I think we covered both sides of the story quite well. Aaron (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Speaking of INQ "reporters" -

jabrwock, 2005-10-17 07:52 pm UTC

Re: Speaking of INQ "reporters" - (Anonymous), 2005-10-18 08:20 am UTC

My two cents to dear ol' Jack

kignofpei
2005-10-17 11:40 pm UTC (link)

Dear Mr. Thompson,

My personal opinions on you and video gaming aside, you should consider two things with your recent statements.

1) "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..."

Call me a loyalist, but until you've compolied data of a large number of gamers, their IQ, their schooling habits, average GPA, average collegiate attendance, and what they read in their spare time, I'm going to say the comment is uncalled for, ignorant, and basically stupid. But then again, what can you expect from laywers who don't understand real people. (Satire!)

2) The folks at Penny-Arcade (you might remember one of them, he called you saying that 10 grand is kind of pathetic compared to half a millioin, and climbing... which. . . it is.) donated your 10,000 dollars for you. I guess, that saying you'd donate money to a charity was also satire? I'm sure people in need will appreciate to know that they are just a crux for making jokes that reflect your vast intellect over others.

Oh, and as a steadfast Christian, it is appauling for you to claim God's hand is in the work of disbanding the video game industry. What a preposterous, egotistic ass you are. If you're so intent on referencing to God, then maybe you should go brush up on the bible Jack.

Your's truly

Curtis A. Holbert

(Reply to this)

About the treatment of JT on this site
(Anonymous)
2005-10-18 06:09 am UTC (link)

While yes it's dissapointing, I think all those who are asking why Thompson is getting flamed constantly should see what some of the questions and comments that the gaming community were sending his way back durring the "Hot coffie" stage of the debate.

http://www.starttruth.com/emails/thompson/email1.php

Notice how calm logical questions and suggestions get nothing but flames and disrespect from Jack if he assumes that you are a gamer. The calm reasonable nature of most gamers wore off after about a week of trying to get any thing sentient out of JT so now its degraded into a flame war.

Oh well makes for fun reading at work.

(Reply to this)

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