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A businessman and philanthropist who volunteers as chairman of the Seattle Police Foundation is under fire this morning for also serving on the board of Take-Two Interactive.
As reported by the Seattle Times, Michael Malone (seen at left), a music entrepreneur and hotel owner, was one of the founders of the Seattle Police Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to support and honor the city's police officers.
Yesterday, however, controversial Miami attorney and anti-game activist Jack Thompson happened upon Malone's name listed as a Take-Two director while researching the company's web site. Malone's bio on the Take-Two site clearly states his connection to the Seattle Police Foundation.
Thompson immediately fired off an e-mail to the Foundation's board of directors as well as various media outlets, informing them that Malone was a member of Take-Two's board. Take-Two, of course, publishes the Grand Theft Auto series which allows players to commit animated violence against police officers.
Reaction to Malone's Take-Two connection was swift - and negative.
"I don't think anybody would argue that these video games are a detriment to the safety of police officers," said Jim Johnson, who is CEO of a local athletic club as well as a fellow Seattle Police Foundation board member. "I don't think Mike would want to stay on, and it would be very difficult for the board to support that. It's a direct conflict."
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske praised Malone's past contributions in obtaining bulletproof vests and other equipment for SPD officers but expressed concern about the GTA connection.
"We've had officers, because of that equipment, who are in a better position to go home at night," Kerlikowske said. "But an association with a company that manufactures those games, that's certainly something I'd like to talk to Mike about."
Malone told the Seattle Times that he joined the Take-Two board in January, but did not inform the Police Foundation.
"I'm playing a temporary role in a company, with a very specific purpose," Malone said. "I don't have the same sense of conflict that I'm living two lives here."
Malone also told the newspaper that he is disturbed by GTA's level of violence and claims to have tried to broker meetings between Take-Two and an unspecified video game watchdog group.
"Because of the temporary nature of what I'm doing, I did not announce it," said Malone, who told the Times he was embarrassed by the publicity. "But I did, and I'm there. I'm going to have to deal with that. The work of the foundation is far too important."
The newspaper quoted Thompson saying that Malone could not receive money from Take-Two and still "portray himself as a friend of the officers who lay their lives on the line. I think it's unethical, hypocritical and duplicitous. The Seattle Police Foundation and the men and women they represent should be pretty upset."
Concerns over video game violence against police have an especially high profile in Washington state. The nation's first-ever state-level video game law was passed there in 2003. The statute, sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D) made it illegal to sell games depicting violence against law enforcement officers to minors. Jack Thompson testified on behalf of Dickerson's bill, which was later struck down as unconstitutional.
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June 9 2006, 10:55:47 UTC 5 years ago
Bullshit.
Talk about a publicity stunt."I don't think anybody would argue that these video games are a detriment to the safety of police officers
Oh, pick me! The 'officers' in GTA are just code. Nothing more. And most people have the sense not to shoot at a cop in real life.
And is Thompson in any position to call him a hypocrite? Last I checked, he says that this site is communist because he can't piss people off here, and says he has the right to annoy people.
Yet someone crank calls him, it's a case of "Z0mg! I'm going to die!11! :("
June 9 2006, 10:56:29 UTC 5 years ago
June 9 2006, 11:17:42 UTC 5 years ago
Miami Jack has no room to talk
The newspaper quoted Thompson saying that Malone could not receive money from Take-Two and still "portray himself as a friend of the officers who lay their lives on the line. I think it's unethical, hypocritical and duplicitous.Jack has no room to talk, as he holds a share of stock in Take-Two(and apparently still does), and was positively giddy about it and wanting a wireless microphone. Jack is also the last person in the world who should be talking about ethics(he has none), hypocrisy(he's shown plenty of that), and duplicity(he's a proven liar).
June 9 2006, 17:13:00 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Miami Jack has no room to talk
Not just [i]a[/i] share. He said he bought [b]100 shares[/b].5 years ago
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June 9 2006, 11:39:59 UTC 5 years ago
One might even think that Michael volunteering as the chairman of such an organization is to show that he understands and appreciates police work beyond the realm of video games.
On top of it all, I'm certain the only reason he participates in these sort of things is for a tax write-off and to possibly support his political views. Once again, however, JT is taking anthills and sculpting the Alps.
June 9 2006, 11:51:23 UTC 5 years ago
June 9 2006, 11:52:08 UTC 5 years ago
wtf!?
is that guy in the pic on the left jt? I mean if it is, could you not find a MORE SATANIC picture of him?anyways
"I don't think anybody would argue that these video games are a detriment to the safety of police officers,"
hah. I WOULD. because they aren't a detriment to officers. that's just stupid. it's a disc made of plastic for crying out loud!
"I don't think Mike would want to stay on, and it would be very difficult for the board to support that. It's a direct conflict."
well now, look who's been spoon-fed bullshit directly from thompson
The newspaper quoted Thompson saying that Malone could not receive money from Take-Two and still "portray himself as a friend of the officers who lay their lives on the line. I think it's unethical, hypocritical and duplicitous. The Seattle Police Foundation and the men and women they represent should be pretty upset."
and thompson, I thnk you are hypocritical and duplicitious when you say you want games to be not sold to minors, yet everything you do says otherwise.
nuff said
June 9 2006, 11:54:33 UTC 5 years ago
Re: wtf!?
no, the guy on the left is Michael Malone5 years ago
June 9 2006, 11:53:29 UTC 5 years ago
June 9 2006, 21:12:26 UTC 5 years ago
June 9 2006, 11:57:57 UTC 5 years ago
You know, if you're gunna be morally outraged at giving of money to groups and organizations, why not go get pissed off at Jack Abermoff and Tom Delay? Or how about where all the 9/11 Red Cross money went! Yeah, I still won't give money to them because of that. Hrm. I guess someone like Jack can only be morally offended by one group at a time. First rappers, then gamers.
June 9 2006, 12:01:17 UTC 5 years ago
I do believe in this case he is screwed. Political pressure will force him to make a choice, probably he will resign from the T2 board.
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June 9 2006, 12:02:19 UTC 5 years ago
June 9 2006, 12:13:19 UTC 5 years ago
Somebody please disbar this clown.
What sort of sociopath attacks someone who is actively contributing to the best interests of the police because he personally can't tell fantasy from reality?June 9 2006, 12:21:20 UTC 5 years ago
Could it be possible...
... that (gasp!) Mr. Malone might believe that video games don't cause real-life violence? That's something to think about.June 9 2006, 12:54:16 UTC 5 years ago
Did Mr. Johnson mis-speak or is that quote inaccurate? His first sentence sentence, as it reads now, states that he doesn't think anyone would argue that these video games are bad for the safety of officers, which seems to be in direct conflict with his second and third sentences.
June 9 2006, 13:24:49 UTC 5 years ago
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June 9 2006, 13:18:09 UTC 5 years ago
i wonder how long until
people start wanting to look at Killing cops in gta just like shooting a real cop and arresting them for it.....in other words being charged with murder for killing a pixilated cop
i doubt it would get that dumb but then again who knows
June 9 2006, 22:30:39 UTC 5 years ago
Re: i wonder how long until
With America's stupitidy these days it might not be too long.June 9 2006, 13:20:48 UTC 5 years ago
Instead of "what a good example of video gamers/workers not being violent scumbags" Jack spins it "OMG teh video gamerz have infiltrated our base!"
Besides, they don't name his official capacity with Take-Two. I'm actually wondering if he's been temporarily hired to help T2 improve it's treatment/image of police officers. As a consultant, per se.
June 9 2006, 13:45:25 UTC 5 years ago
I just don't understand Jack
What happened to this guy that he's so afraid of video games, hip hop music and homosexuals, and must tear down anyone who stands by these things?June 9 2006, 17:07:51 UTC 5 years ago
Re: I just don't understand Jack
They're different. And as we all know, anything different must be eradicated.You know, I was perfectly willing to assume that he wasn't as stupid as I thought he was until I saw that he went after The Sims 2 because the blur over the nude characters can be removed to reveal... a pixelated Barbie doll.
I'm still waiting for him to go after Mattel.
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June 9 2006, 13:55:13 UTC 5 years ago
stupid stupid stupid.
"We've had officers, because of that equipment, who are in a better position to go home at night," Kerlikowske said. "But an association with a company that manufactures those games, that's certainly something I'd like to talk to Mike about."So being associated with a video game company should oust him.
Does that mean anyone that is an NRA member get the same treatment? OR anyone associated with anything that has to do with video games, movies, music, art, philosophy, or anyone that has a CD with "I shot the sheriff?"
Remember kids, guns don't kill people, video games do!
June 9 2006, 14:53:31 UTC 5 years ago
Re: stupid stupid stupid.
My thoughts exactly. "Yeah, he's made our officers safer, what with him providing them with real armor for protection against real bullets... it's those DIGITAL bullets and digital ping pong balls that really got us shakin' in our real armor! I mean, what's real armor gonna do against something that isn't real? GET OUT OF MY HEAD! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"June 9 2006, 14:02:35 UTC 5 years ago
Philanthropists vs. monkeys
There are those who change the world by getting involved in it.And then there are those who dance around, shrieking, gesturing, and flinging dung.
June 9 2006, 14:08:03 UTC 5 years ago
Joke Thompson is pulling a McCarthy
He already relies on his "list" to destroy social status based on their membership in an "evil organization."...can't wait till he jumps in front of congress with this nonsense.
Also, isn't JT a member of Take-Two?
Oh wait, he's immune to logic. Right.
June 9 2006, 15:58:29 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Joke Thompson is pulling a McCarthy
That McCarthy comparison is starting to sound very compelling.5 years ago
June 9 2006, 14:53:50 UTC 5 years ago
Pfft! Jack should just stop right there.
let's see, Michael Malone has done more positive things for police officers in regards to their helth and saftey than anyone else on that foundation, but because he serves on a board of a video game industry, (temporarily to boot) he should be demonized?And for that matter, what has JT done for police lately, if ever? Apart from interferring in investigations I mean.
June 9 2006, 15:19:23 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Pfft! Jack should just stop right there.
Totally. I don't understand how suddenly being associated with a video game company can suddenly make a FOUNDER of a POLICE FOUNDATION a bad guy and pressured like this. What country do we live in??I'm a hard-core video-gaming gun-enthusiast that loves beer. I work at an elementary school. Should I be forced to resign? WTF?
June 9 2006, 15:14:07 UTC 5 years ago
And he's a member of Take-Two?! Hypocrite on top of it all... why am I not suprised.
June 9 2006, 15:16:29 UTC 5 years ago
Take-Two produces and develops other games
I don't necessarily see the problem here. Take-Two is a large company with many projects and developers and doesn't solely produce GTA games. For example, Take-Two has recently released Civilization 4 and Table Tennis. Do those games represent a concern for the Police Department as well?June 9 2006, 15:21:06 UTC 5 years ago
Well, Thompson's right for once. That guy has no business serving a company that makes games that allow you to shoot police officers. That's like Jesse Jackson supporting a lynch mob simulation.
I support Take-Two's constitutional rights, I enjoy the GTA series, and I don't believe that violent media influences violence except in fringe lunatics, but really, I don't see how Malone can honestly think he's supporting the police department while having anything to do with Take-Two.
June 9 2006, 21:53:18 UTC 5 years ago
Plus I can think of several reasons why someone that supports cops would have business working for TT. For starters it's easier to change the direction of a company if you're part of it. Directors are much more likely to listen to criticism from a fellow director than they are from one more person in the lynch mob screaming about how horrible they are.
Next you'd at least get some insight into the company. See first hand what the corporate culture is like, what the people working there are like, what their priorities are, etc. Which would leave them in a much better position to accurately comment about the company than the greedy fearmongers that are screaming about how evil the company is just so they can get a couple more minutes of fame and fortune.
Finally, it'd put them in a better position to get the company to listen to outside critics, and actually consider their views. Instead of reaction to the outside criticism as hostility from rivals and enemies.
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June 9 2006, 15:26:06 UTC 5 years ago
Pot...kettle...?
"I think it's unethical, hypocritical and duplicitous."June 9 2006, 15:34:02 UTC 5 years ago
Jack, I hope you're reading this...
Jack,I'm betting you're reading this (and I'm really hoping you are) because I know you enjoy seeing your name in print.
I'll be sure to send off an e-mail to the Board with some of your juicier quotes. You know, about how you refer to gamers as Talaban, Nazis, etc. I'm sure the Seattle Police would enjoy taking advice from an obviously delusional zealot.
Toodles!
June 9 2006, 15:37:47 UTC 5 years ago
Thompson immediately fired off an e-mail to the Foundation's board of directors as well as various media outlets, informing them that Malone was a member of Take-Two's board.
Wow. Jack Thompson really has too much time on his hands. It's as if people refuse to hire him for some reason, so he has to seek out work and stir things up.
June 11 2006, 10:16:45 UTC 5 years ago
People who find this a serious matter need a reality-check, ASAP!
June 9 2006, 15:43:15 UTC 5 years ago
TV dramatization as an argument?
"Four such shows, such as CSI: Miami have dramatized the link between these murder simulation video games and real killings. The most effective of the shows was a Law and Order: SVU episode last February which depicted kids acting out the Grand Theft Auto games."Yeah, and I'm going to use Red Dawn as an argument that the Reds are going to invade America.
June 9 2006, 21:08:17 UTC 5 years ago
Re: TV dramatization as an argument?
And the moral of the law and order SVU episode that this defense was a crock. It was an attempt at Jury Nullification and even while most of the charecters were put off by the level of violence possible in the game they conculded that it doesn't negate mens raea and the person themselves decided to do it and it wasn't the games fault.5 years ago
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