![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
A representative of Jeb Bush's press office characterized as "untrue" yesterday's Jack Thompson press release in which the Miami attorney and self-described "anti-game crusader" claimed that he was crafting video game legislation on behalf of the Florida governor.
Russell Schweiss, Deputy Press Secretary for Gov. Bush, told GamePolitics this afternoon that Thompson did indeed approach Governor Bush's policy advisors with the proposal. It is at precisely that point, however, that the accounts of Thompson and the Bush people diverge.
"Our policy office told him that the Governor does not use the bully pulpit to target individual industries," Schweiss said. He added that while Bush does have concerns about violent video games, under no circumstance would he commit beforehand to signing legislation which hadn't undergone a thorough review.
This would appear to contradict Thompson's press release, which reads in part, "The Office of Governor Bush has told Thompson that the Governor will sign such a bill if it is placed before him."
According to Schweiss, the Governor's office instead suggested to Thompson that if he was interested in pursuing such legislation, the outspoken game industry critic was free to try and gain the support of a local representative who would then introduce the bill through the normal legislative process.
UPDATE: Based upon an e-mail received by GP, Thompson is adamantly sticking by his press release. He has also posted the e-mail here in the comments section. It reads in part, "One of the Governor's chief policy advisors CALLED ME. His name is Randy Ball...I didn't call him. He told me that the Governor would like a video game bill drafted 'and unless you know of someone better to do it, it should be you, Mr. Thompson.' ...Mr. Ball then said that upon drafting the bill, I should submit it both to Mr. Ball so that the state's 'bill drafters' could go over it, and I should also find receptive legislators to be sponsors. Mr. Ball then said, 'I am sure the Governor will sign a video game bill that is passed.'"
After reading Thompson's outraged response, GamePolitics was back in touch with Deputy Press Secretary Russsell Schweiss about the concerns expressed by the Miami attorney. An unwavering Schweiss e-mailed GP, saying, "My previous comments stand."
UPDATE, Oct. 1st: Joystiq picked up on the Thompson-Bush flap late yesterday. It appears that Thompson posted an explanation of sorts there: "The reason I put out the press release on this is that Jeb Bush often says one thing and does another. Examples: the Elian Gonzalez fiasco and the Terri Schiavo fiasco. I knew what I was doing. I wanted the Governor on the record for what his policy people told me to do, and the new release reflects precisely what the Governor's office told me, asked me, requested me to do. They called me. I didn't call them....The legilsture (sic) will pass the bill and Bush will sign it".
UPDATE. Oct. 2nd: The Inquirer has a little more on the Thompson-Bush flap today. (Note: this is the UK web site, not the Philadelphia Inquirer)
← Ctrl← Alt
Ctrl →Alt →
September 30 2005, 20:23:40 UTC 6 years ago
September 30 2005, 20:25:55 UTC 6 years ago
good
Hehe, I knew that was bogus, Governer bush is a republican, and he does not want to lose the gaming industry in florida, this is big bucks we are talking about, Jack is destroying a good thing, if the gaming industry disappears, so does the money, that means time for piracy, but I have no worries that will never happen, so I shall give my money to this thriving industry. or my6 local game shop.September 30 2005, 20:31:20 UTC 6 years ago
Re: good
so i guess thompson will be sucking up to his good buddy now that is running for govener to get that bill signed and passed....and like i said in my other post its not even right if it gets passed as it will be looked at the other way for capcom and every other gaming company and it will Only target take two and rockstar6 years ago
6 years ago
September 30 2005, 20:32:17 UTC 6 years ago
Not surprising.
JT has been caught in lies a lot lately. This is getting repetetive...- lied about being cousel on a case before the supreme court
- lied about what the british police said about the role of Manhunt in Stefan Pakeerah's murder
- lied about the Office of the Governor asking him to write legislation
*sigh*
September 30 2005, 20:33:51 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Not surprising.
all he does is lie.6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
September 30 2005, 20:36:09 UTC 6 years ago
Liar, Liar, Jack's On Fire
Jackzilla's really batting a thousand this week. Ah hell, he's been doing that since day one of his ludicrous "crusade". Is he ever going to learn? He can't intimidate or antagonize us with lies.Jack, either come up with some real ammo, or cease fire. This is getting sad.
September 30 2005, 20:52:56 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Liar, Liar, Jack's On Fire
I think we broke him. He was pretty worked up when he was last here, maybe we caused him to snap?
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
September 30 2005, 20:38:09 UTC 6 years ago
Ex-Lurker here...
I've been following quite a few sites in attempts to keep myself updated with what is going on with the gaming industry. One of those sites (Obviously) has been GamePolitics.com.Thus! I've come out of lurking (Never posted anonymously), to expose myself.
And the only thing I can say in regards to the entire situation of Jack Thompsons press release coupled with Schweiss' comments...
"Owned".
Outside of that, he does seem to... utilize a fair amount of half-truths and misconceptions. He approached them, yes. But somewhere in between then and his press release, he slept... and somehow tricked himself into believing that -they- approached -him-.
At least. That's my best guess. =(
I'll never understand people like him. >.<
:~: Chobo :~:
September 30 2005, 20:40:20 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Ex-Lurker here...
Slept......or drank, he did a LOT of one.Welcome to the team.
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
September 30 2005, 20:44:55 UTC 6 years ago
Wait a minute...
Our Policy Office told him that the Governor does not use the bully pulpit to target individual industries."Is that subliminal messaging? Did Jackzilla, just get bitch-slapped? Or has his tireless slander and libel made that word stick out like a sore thumb?
September 30 2005, 20:47:18 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Wait a minute...
I'd go for the second one, it was irony probably not found by the policy office, but it's great for the gamers of GamePolitics!6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
September 30 2005, 20:48:02 UTC 6 years ago
GameSpot has an interesting thought... :)
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/0Oooooooo. I wonder what the Florida Bar Association would make of Jack's claims?
September 30 2005, 20:50:55 UTC 6 years ago
Re: GameSpot has an interesting thought... :)
Wow, Gamespot thought that the rumor was true.....show how much Gamespot knows.6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
Anonymous
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
September 30 2005, 20:52:14 UTC 6 years ago
Deputy Press Secretary puts JT in place
As if there was any doubt that it was bogus. Sure it seemed that with the recent brew-ha-ha, Jeb would certainly come around and support efforts made by Jack......but Jeb has a good head on his shoulders (and that's saying a lot for someone of the Bush family where criticism comes more often than praise)!
Does this mean that JT can't ever get legislation put forward before Jeb? No, not really. However, does this stunt make JT seem like a total liar. OH YEAH! After this, will JT find a representative to put this legislation forward? Not likely!
I say that Florida's going to be pretty nice when I get there! :) Just hope that other guy doesn't win! Oh well. Fingers crossed! :)
~Otaku-Man
September 30 2005, 21:10:13 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Deputy Press Secretary puts JT in place
Lol The Bush Family gets a lot of criticism..........and i will now do my favorite quote..."i will not be taken Hostile.Woops...Delete Delete..Hostage!"
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
Anonymous
September 30 2005, 21:18:28 UTC 6 years ago
Jack Thompson Responds to Dennis McCauley's Slipshod Journalism
Apparently the right hand in the Governor's office does not know what the left hand is doing. And just as obviously Dennis McCauley who runs this "news" site doesn't know how to act like a journalist. But neither revelation is surprising.I didn't speak with the press office of the Governor. One of the Governor's chief policy advisors CALLED ME. His name is Randy Ball. If Dennis McCauley knew how to act like a journalist, he would have picked up the phone, if in fact he has one, and would have called me to clarify what the apparent confusion is in the Governor's Office. But of course Mr. McCauley did not do that because he would much rather run a story here that casts doubt on my conversation with the Governor's Office than get the story right. Real journalists check stories, with both sides.
What happened, in fact, as if gamers really cared about facts is this: Mr. Ball called me. I didn't call him. He told me that the Governor would like a video game bill drafted "and unless you know of someone better to do it, it should be you, Mr. Thompson."
Mr. Ball then said that upon drafting the bill, I should submit it both to Mr. Ball so that the state's "bill drafters" could go over it, and I should also find receptive legislators to be sponsors. Mr. Ball then said, "I am sure the Governor will sign a video game bill that is passed."
Now ladies and gentlemen, that is precisely what the news release says. Nobody said that Governor Bush was going to use the "bully pulpit" to coerce video game companies. That would be absurd. Bush never does that. That is one of his faiings.
The passage of a law is the opposite of using the bully pulpit. It is passing a law to do something about the sale of adult and mature games to kids. Bullying has nothing to do with it.
Obviously the "press people" in Bush's office are typical press people. They don't like anyone other than them coordinating things. Press people like to control the news (like Dennis McCauley)rather than facilitate policy. Press people get nervous when policy people actually do something.
Now, I shall get back to working on the bill that the Governor's Office called me about and asked me to draft.
The rest of you can go back to fragging innocent people in your little, dangerous games.
And Dennis, maybe what we need is a law in Florida that makes it a crime to impersonate a journalist. Jack Thompson
September 30 2005, 22:39:46 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Jack Thompson Responds to Dennis McCauley's Slipshod Journalism
Wow,you were gone long.Yeah, and you know what, let's just make a law to make the first amendment illegal and practicing it a crime? Fool.
Apparently, if you can even be trusted that a person named Randy Ball called you, it is his and your word against the press secretary, Russel Schweiss, how interesting.
BTW, you should just stop mentioning Dennis in your post, when he offers you an interview, you kiss his ass, when he says something even remotely against you, you're all over him. I think we may need to add bipolar to your list of problems.
6 years ago
Anonymous
September 30 2005, 23:13:22 UTC 6 years ago
-Vader
Well i think if this keeps up where gonna have gamers go on strike... there people... let them have what they want... if we have a problem with violent video games (like always) then lets have a problem with Rated R movies, and TV...September 30 2005, 23:21:02 UTC 6 years ago
Re: -Vader
Yea i have a issue with teens watching r rated movies....what gives them the right to if gta and games are violent movies are worse..lets make the same thing for all media6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
October 1 2005, 00:49:02 UTC 6 years ago
Hey Jacky Boy
Hey Jack,The Anti-Moron™ software on my PC went crazy when I started to read your post. I don't know what makes you such a worthless poster, but it really works!. Just when I think I've read the stupidest post ever, you go and post another. You must have a very large brain to hold such a vast amount of sheer ignorance. Oh well, at least you only charge what your free advice is worth.
Just when I think, "Surely Jack has reached the limits of Internet tedium" you go and push the boundary even further. clearly, the full area of your ignorance is not yet mapped. You're certainly thoughtless; I just wish that you were keyboard-less, too. Go outside once in a while and breathe, before your brain starts to rot from all that festering stagnation and cognitive dysfunction.
And finally Jack do yourself and everyone else a favor: disconnect your computer from the Internet before you spout any more of your lies.
-Godofyouall
October 1 2005, 00:50:58 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Hey Jacky Boy
Got some bad news for you then, if he gets disconnected from the 'net, he'll have no choice but to pursue some spotlight on TV or the radio...that would be freaky.6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
October 1 2005, 02:18:31 UTC 6 years ago
In And Out
Seems to me like Jackzilla didn't stick around very long this time. He just posted what he says is this truth, insulted Dennis and us, then took off.It's pretty obvious that this Ball person has an agenda, and is trying to accomplish it without the approval and/or knowledge of everyone else at Jeb's office. I half expect this person to lose their job.
October 1 2005, 02:45:28 UTC 6 years ago
Re: In And Out
>>>It's pretty obvious that this Ball person has an agenda, and is trying to accomplish it without the approval and/or knowledge of everyone else at Jeb's office.That's one scenario...
I will say that in my limited experience dealing with one particular governor's office, they stay very tightly on message, policy decisions are cleared through multiple channels, and news releases come tightly managed from the Press Office, not free agents.
A guv's office is major league, especially in a key state like Florida, especially when the guv may have presidential aspirations.
October 1 2005, 02:23:10 UTC 6 years ago
Time to take notice Jack, YOU GOT NO SKILLZ
Yes it's true, jack is being Pwned by the florida governors office. It looks like our favorite insane lawyer is once again making an absolute jack ass of himself. To use a quote from Def Jam 2, one of my favorite games.You just got owned BITCH!!
Go ahead and try again jack, it makes me laugh to see you turning everyone against you, first Sen. Clinton, now the state of florida. Good job, keep it up, and you'll be ruined in less then a year.
It's time to give up the ghost jack, and end your childish little crusade. If your so desperate for attention, contact the WWE, I sure putting you in a match with stone cold would be an instant hit, I know for a fact i'd Pay twice the normal price to see you get the STUNNER.
It's coming to an end jack, the courts are against you, a 10 billion dollar industry is against you, and no florida is against you. Other states will fall in line soon enough, and then you'll be alone and afraid.
Oh wait, you already are, thats why you act like a child.
Still waiting for an answer to my earlier challanges jacky boy. Since it's clear talking with you like a civil human being is not possible, lets do this old school. in the ring.
Your a joke, see you in hell.
Anonymous
October 1 2005, 02:50:23 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Time to take notice Jack, YOU GOT NO SKILLZ
It seems like many of you are eating up the cake Mr. Thompson is serving. His apparent ignorance with regard to the general nature of video games (and more importantly, the target of blame for a failing society) that Mr. Thompson shows is frustrating to me as a gamer, but that does not mean I - and we - can't still articulate what we feel is wrong with his view. It's simply more effective (and a better way to keep your sanity) to leave your emotion at home and speak in the terms that humans in his position understand.Of course you will not change views by yourself. But there's no need to veil valid facts, opinions, and thoughts in a mask of anger. This is simply playing into the game, so to speak.
There are dozens of perfectly logical, practical, and common-sense reasons why Mr. Thompson is wrong. I know them, you know them. Make everyone else who's paying attention know them.
- Grudge
Deleted comment
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
October 1 2005, 03:31:55 UTC 6 years ago
Wow, I go away for supper, and look what I miss!
Jack is not only caught lying, he even tries to BS his way out of it!Face it Jack, you've been had. It's not that the one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, it's that when the press office denies not once, but TWICE that you are being asked by the Governor, then that means Mr. Ball was playing you for a sucker. Either that, or Mr. Ball was acting without authorization.
And you are a sad little man for attacking Dennis. Dennis did what any respectable reporter does. He check the quotes. You claim that the Governor's office requested your aid, he calls the Governor's office to verify. If they tell him you're full of shit, that's not Dennis' fault. It's your own, for not stating the truth in your press release.
Randy Ball is a Policy Coordinator, one of 10. He works in the Public Safety Policy Unit.
October 1 2005, 03:43:20 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Wow, I go away for supper, and look what I miss!
1 of 10? There's 10 of those guys? Now I'm sure of it. This is the action of a someone using their influence to further their agenda, which probably fits in well with Jackzilla's. I mean, if the overall opinion of the office was that JT is the right man for the job [I can't even type that with a straight face by the way] don't you think more than one of these advisors would be approaching him?Either that, or Mr. Ball was acting without authorization.
That's what I'm betting on.
then that means Mr. Ball was playing you for a sucker.
YOU GOT BALL'D! Hehehe. I crack myself up. :P
6 years ago
6 years ago
October 1 2005, 04:34:02 UTC 6 years ago
Boy...
Boy our opinions and comments on him have changed..http://www.livejournal.com/users/gamepo
October 1 2005, 04:37:32 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Boy...
o_0 WTF... is this the same guy?
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
October 1 2005, 15:28:43 UTC 6 years ago
I'm away from my computer for 1 day... 1!!!!
I am so sorry I missed this!!! Much to my disappointment I have been away, but I must say... This is "fantabulous". LOLI'm glad to see Mr. Thompson could stay away for so long. What was it? 4 days? I'm not even going to comment further on this because what little credibility Mr. Thompson ever had, has been completely eradicated by a false press release, and You guys.
Great Work!!
Good Job Dennis!!
What fun....
October 1 2005, 16:44:05 UTC 6 years ago
Re: I'm away from my computer for 1 day... 1!!!!
I missed the entire thing, and I was just gone for supper! :)So much for, once again "I'm never coming back!". What a flip-flop.
6 years ago
October 1 2005, 18:07:44 UTC 6 years ago
Poor Jack
You have to feel sorry for the guy. He's lost every battle against this industry, GTA sales keep going through the roof with each new release, and for every step forward he thinks he made, he gets slapped in the face and take two steps back. Rockstar and Take-Two are more successful than ever. The game industry is one of the only growing sectors in the entire entertainment business, and more people are moving into videogaming than ever before. He's fighting a losing battle, he'll never win, and he'll go to his grave a bitter man.October 1 2005, 18:25:01 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Poor Jack
He deserves no pity from me. His inability to cope with things that offend him is no excuse for his behavior. He's just like that woman who wanted Married With Children taken off the air because it offended her. Or that group of old bittys who boycotted South Park. Or all the thousands of people who used to bitch about Eminem on a daily basis. [Which is a strange coincidence, because those people often insisted that Em's records were falling into the hands of kids. Yet no one rallied for music regulation laws. They just singled him out. Hypocrisy at it's worst.]6 years ago
October 1 2005, 18:35:43 UTC 6 years ago
Correction
I wanted the Governor on the record for what his policy people told me to do, and the new release reflects precisely what the Governor's office told me.One person called you JT, one person out of ten that could do so. And he's near the bottom of the rack too. Enjoy writing your bill though. 60 million gamers will have the biggest smiles on their faces when it gets ripped to shit. And even you know that it will.
October 1 2005, 19:25:46 UTC 6 years ago
Are you shitting me?
They call not bogus on one rumor out of intuition, and that drops their credibility in the toilet? Jesus, how old are you?October 1 2005, 19:28:44 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Are you shitting me?
I never said that. But if they don't give shit about it, it could happen more often, and that would damage their credibility.October 1 2005, 19:55:59 UTC 6 years ago
hay
hay something the bush family is right about...................................October 1 2005, 21:18:15 UTC 6 years ago
Re: hay
Now now, if Hitler can be right about smoking... :)Anonymous
October 1 2005, 21:06:04 UTC 6 years ago
Jack Thompson Sets the Record Straight for Those Who Can Read Here
John B. Thompson, Attorney1172 South Dixie Highway, Suite 111
Coral Gables, Florida 33146-2750
Phone: 305-666-4366
October 1, 2005
The Honorable Jeb Bush
Governor, State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida Via Facsimile Transmission to 850-922-4292
Re: Florida Video Game Law
Dear Governor Bush:
I appreciate the fact that your policy advisor, Randy Ball, called me yesterday and encouraged me to do the following:
1. Draft a video game bill prohibiting the sale of adult and mature video games to minors.
2. Submit the bill I draft a) to your legislation drafters and b) to conservative members of the Florida legislature.
Mr. Ball concluded by saying “I am confident, if it passes, that the Governor will sign it.”
This is encouraging because, as you know, I have written you for years many times asking for just such a call. It finally came.
Now your press people, for some reason, are saying that the above did not transpire as I have indicated in a press release. They wouldn’t know. They weren’t on the call. It looks like your press people don’t know what the policy people are doing. This happens in bureaucracies. They should have bothered to pick up the phone and call me and I would have disabused them of their confusion.
Governor, the reason I sent out the news release memorializing what transpired is that you, to be frank, have let down, in my opinion, conservatives during the Elian Gonzalez affair and during the Terri Shiavo matter, unwilling to do all that was necessary and proper to win those two battles. I am not the only one who thinks so. You, Ward Connerly, and I were featured in the same American Spectator issue years ago, and I don’t need to remind you as to why.
Governor, again, I am pleased that the call finally came regarding a video game bill. I would suggest that the people of Florida are out in front of you on this one, as is Tom Gallagher as indicated by his announcement the other day. But I am glad you are now realizing that selling murder simulators to children poses a public safety hazard.
I believe such a measure will enjoy such a large majority in both houses that the tallies will be veto-proof, but I encourage you to sign the bill which Mr. Ball encouraged me to draft and submit.
Regards, Jack Thompson
Anonymous
October 1 2005, 22:11:29 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Jack Thompson Sets the Record Straight for Those Who Can Read Here
Thats nice but it doesn't prove anything. What would really help you is if you posted Jeb's or his rep's responce. Otherwise you have done nothing but waist your time, my time, and a space on the internet which you seem to be good at.6 years ago
October 1 2005, 22:34:21 UTC 6 years ago
So you wrote a press release containing information from a source that you know to be unreliable? And now you are surprised that people don't beleive you?
I don't see how the press release puts the governor on the record as saying anything. It just puts you on the record as saying that the governor said something. Now the governor is denying it, and your press release doesn't prove him wrong in any way. It does, however, prove that you said something that appears now to be untrue. Do you see how that works?
Next time you want somebody's words on the record, get THEM to write it down.
October 1 2005, 22:44:29 UTC 6 years ago
Would You Help Me Jack
Good afternoon JackWell good sir let me be the first to say that why i dont believe what you are doing is right it made me think...i recently watched a old batman movie Last night the first one with Micheal Keaton...I was offended and shocked by the violence in it.....It was disgraceful and rude....and after watching Batman and Robin i was more disgusted by the fact that two Men were living together..that is not appropriate thing to teach children...PLease Mr Thompson Help Me take batman away for everyone....lets take away that right so we will be safe...i await your answer
October 1 2005, 23:59:13 UTC 6 years ago
We Win Again
I want everybody here to think about this for a moment:Jack Thompson is writing a game regulation bill. This will most likely be the biggest blow to his career since, well, ever. Not only is he about to expose exactly what kind of person he is to the lawmakers, and Jeb Bush, but his bill is going to be set aflame by a judge if it even makes it that far.
What could possibly hurt his ego more than that?
October 2 2005, 00:01:23 UTC 6 years ago
Re: We Win Again
Yep sothasil great point right there...Jack is just setting himself up for a pedigree...triple H style None the Less....6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
Anonymous
6 years ago
6 years ago
October 2 2005, 00:59:51 UTC 6 years ago
Jack's website
It should be updated. He hasn't touched it in about a year.October 2 2005, 01:00:59 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Jack's website
i dont think he knows how to do that considering he still has his old email address up6 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
Anonymous
6 years ago
Anonymous
6 years ago
6 years ago
← Ctrl← Alt
Ctrl →Alt →