Mr. Jack Bruce Thompson This is Me

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1. 1. Jack Thompson.org

   www.jackthompson.org/games_in_ - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/10/2008   Last Visited: 4/10/2008

   About Jack Thompson
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   Early in 1999 the families of the victims Hadley, James and Steger - represented by Jack Thompson - filed a lawsuit against several media companies:
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   But John B. Thompson [Jack Thompson], a lawyer from Coral Gables, Fla., who is representing the parents, said the suits target movies and video games, such as Doom, that have played a role in several school shootings.
   
   He said the games and pornography -- all of Carneal's victims were female -- triggered the boy's rampage by blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
   
   "Is there more than one reason why these murders happened?Yes, there is," Thompson said.
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   Thompson seems especially worried about the games Grand Theft Auto and Doom, which he holds responsible for both the Paducah and Columbine shootings:
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   Thompson said Carneal, firing from 25 feet away, shot eight different targets - three in the head and five in the upper torso.
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   He shot at one human being and then moved on in a rapid fire technique," Thompson said.
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   Thompson then cited various studies, including one at Indiana University that he says proves that playing violent games damage children's brains; that they are unable to decipher reality and what they see on a video game.
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   Thompson also said the Defense Department, with the authorization of Congress, created the Institute for Creative Technology at Southern Cal.He says the government is using tax dollars to pay the video game industry to create murder simulation games that break down the inhibitions of new recruits who have been trained all their lives not to kill.
   
   Kushner countered that claim by saying he had gone to the Institute, and the game he played in a Bosnia-type setting and the unit had to work together to rescue injured persons.
   
   […]
   
   "When the next Columbine happens, it will be worse and then the video game industry will then have the pressure put upon it to change," Thompson said.

2. 2. StopJackThompson.com - Your source of information on Jack Thompson and his fights against video games.

   www.stopjackthompson.com/who.h - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/15/2006   Last Visited: 4/15/2006

   John B. 'Jack' Thompson is a controversial and outspoken attorney often cited in the media for his views on the effects of obscenity and violence in popular media.He often uses half truths and misinformation in an attempt to trick the ignorant into accepting his views.Thompson, in 1992, was named a "top ten" censor by the American Civil Liberties Union.He is also known for insulting those who do not share his views through e-mails by calling the senders idiots as it has often been demonstrated on forums where people would post copies of replies he sent to e-mails which had been written in a very polite and justified manner.
   
   Videogame CasesIn 1999 he filed a $130 million federal products liability lawsuit against several entertainment companies on behalf of the parents of victims of the 1997 Paducah schoolhouse shootings.These included the producers and distributors of the movie The Basketball Diaries, Internet sex website operators and a variety of video game producers.The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the case in 2002.
   
   Despite the failure of the Paducah lawsuit, Thompson has continued to pursue in court the makers of violent video games.For example, he has attempted to link the Columbine High School massacre and the Washington Sniper to first-person shooters, in the latter making various claims regarding God mode and the zoom function of Halo's sniper rifle and pistol.He has frequently attacked Rockstar, linking Rockstar North's Manhunt game and Grand Theft Auto series to a wide variety of murders, particularly those involving vehicles or weapons other than firearms.
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   As well as propagating the "video games made me do it" defense, Thompson has also attempted to predict which violent crimes will be caused by specific videogames; in the Washington Sniper case, he was the first individual to suggest to the press that videogames may have been the source of the sniper's skills, a belief vindicated by the discovery of a ubiquitous PlayStation in the van used as a "mobile hideout" by the sniper.Note however that the sniper was a former soldier with formidable rifle training, as predicted by the police.He also proactively linked Grand Theft Auto 3 to violent crime in general, although he failed to do so in the case of Manhunt.
   
   In one of a series of "videogame violence" interviews by CBS, he compared Doug Lowenstein of the Entertainment Software Association to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, although the response has since been edited.In the June 2005 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Thompson was interviewed and again discussed Lowenstein, this time implying he was worse than Saddam Hussein.In July 2005, Thompson released an open letter praising Hillary Clinton's call for federal game legislation, the content of which also made personal attacks against Doug Lowenstein, president of the ESA.

3. 3. www.shacknews.com

   www.shacknews.com/tag.x/Jack+T - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/23/2008   Last Visited: 4/23/2008

   Displaying stories with the tag "Jack Thompson".Subscribe to this URL for an RSS feed of this tag.Want more news?Click here for the Shacknews frontpage.
   
   Thompson Writes Chairman's Mom Re: GTA 4, Compares Zelnick to Hitler Youth
   
   by Chris Faylor Apr 23, 2008 10:09am CST tags: Grand Theft Auto 4, Jack Thompson
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   Protesting the release of Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, X360) on April 29, outspoken game critic Jack Thompson (pictured left) has written a letter addressed to the mother of Take-Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick.
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   The letter was delivered to Strauss Zelnick's lawyer, per a past settlement that only allows Thompson to communicate with Take-Two via counsel.
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   by Nick Breckon Jun 06, 2007 6:58pm CST tags: Rockstar, Industry News: PC & Console, Jack Thompson
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   Jack Thompson
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   Just when you thought he was out of the spotlight, the creative duo from webcomic Penny Arcade have pulled him back in.
   
   In an effort to squelch the rhetoric of anti-game activist Jack Thompson on their own stage, Penny Arcade writer Jerry Holkins and illustrator Mike Krahulik had covertly invited the Florida lawyer to a formal debate during the upcoming Penny Arcade Expo in August.
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   Now a press release written by Thompson has declined the offer based on misgivings over the secrecy of the event, according to a report by GamePolitics.
   
   "Penny Arcade said that it was concerned that too many people ... Read more "Did PA really expect Jack to oblige and be professional about this?"30 Comments
   
   Thompson Demands Wendy's Cut Wii Promotion
   
   by Chris Remo May 08, 2007 6:19pm CST tags: Rockstar, Industry News: PC & Console, Jack Thompson
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   Jack Thompson
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   Notorious video game-targeting attorney Jack Thompson (pictured left) has demanded that fast food chain Wendy's cancel its promotional tie-in themed around Nintendo's Wii console, due to the upcoming release of Rockstar Toronto's upcoming game Manhunt 2 on Wii.The Wii promotion, which according to the official Wendy's site is "coming soon," features toys themed around the Wii console itself as well as Nintendo-published games such as Wii Sports and Excite Truck.Manhunt 2, to be published by Rockstar Games this July on Wii, PlayStation 2, and PSP, has no connection to the program.
   
   In a letter sent from Thompson to Wendy's CEO Kerri Anderson and forwarded to various gaming news outlets, Thompson demands that Wendy's "cancel the Wii Kids' Meal promotion immediately."
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   According to Thompson, the mere ... Read more "isn't this violating the ruling against him that ordered him to get off take2's case?"No Comments
   
   Take-Two and Jack Thompson Reach Settlement, Drop Charges
   
   by Chris Faylor Apr 20, 2007 9:56am CST tags: Industry News: PC & Console, Jack Thompson
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   Jack Thompson
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   Following up Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive's pre-emptive legal action against lawyer Jack Thompson and his resulting countersuit, the two rivals have reached an agreement to drop all charges against one another.
   
   According to the terms of the settlement posted by GamePolitics, Thompson will no longer pursue or threaten legal action to restrict sales of Take-Two games.Nor may Thompson accuse Take-Two or any business partners of wrongdoing for distributing said product--in other words, he can not threaten to sue a retailer for carrying Take-Two's games.Any future communication between Thompson and Take-Two will be mediated by either the counsel of record or Take-Two's general counsel.
   
   Perhaps most entertaining of all, the settlement also means Thompson won't face jail time.Previously, Take-Two had submitted a petition for Thompson to prove why he should not be held in contempt, with a hearing that was scheduled for April 20.
   
   However, Thompson retains the right to publicly criticize the content or distribution of any Take-Two product.He may also participate in any legal action others may bring against the publisher, provided the charges specify individual harm.
   
   "tired of these fucking old douchebags screwing with games, why dont they harass the violent movie ... "36 Comments
   
   Take-Two Pre-Emptively Sues Jack Thompson
   
   by Chris Remo Mar 16, 2007 1:40pm CST tags: Rockstar, Industry News: PC & Console, Jack Thompson
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   In a rather amusing move given the history between Take-Two Interactive and Jack Thompson, Game Politics reports that the Grand Theft Auto publisher has pre-emptively sued Thompson before the Miami-based lawyer has a chance to sue Take-Two first over Rockstar London's Manhunt 2 (PS2, Wii, PSP, PC) and Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, X360).
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   Thompson, who has already alluded to his intent to block the sale of Manhunt 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV, is now the subject of a Florida petition intending to block him from doing just that.Take-Two also seeks from Thompson the recovery of legal fees incurred during the proceedings.
   
   "Thompson has a history of making multiple threats of legal action, whether substantiated or not, both against [Take-Two] as well as the retailers who purchase the video games and offer them for sale to the public," read's Take-Two's petition to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida."Thompson has made such threats again in connection with Manhunt 2 and GTAIV."
   
   Last year, the lawyer attempted to block the sale of Bully in Florida on the basis of the state's public nuisance law, but his attempt was struck down by the presiding judge, who evaluated the game's content.
   
   In related news, Thompson appears to be taking credit for the recently reported shareholder action expected to occur during Take-Two's upcoming shareholder meeting next week.CEO Paul Eibeler, a long time nemesis of Thompson, is expected to be removed from his position.
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   Thompson has big hopes for the revolt, which he claims is due to his own action in villifying games released by Take-Two-owned Rockstar Games.
   
   "So successful has Thompson been in exposing the fraud and criminal conduct of Take-Two on the national stage," he wrote to the Florida Supreme Court while also denouncing Take-Two's current suit, "that a corporate coup by 46% of Take-TwoÂÂ's shareholders is set for March 23, which nearly all financial analysts ... are predicting will be successful and which will result in the firing of all Take-Two management and the entire board."
   
   "After having read the complaint against Thompson, the only thing I can see missing is a request t ... "14 Comments
   
   Jack Thompson to Face Court Disciplinary Hearing
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   by Chris Remo Feb 05, 2007 1:36pm CST tags: Industry News: PC & Console, Sony, Jack Thompson
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   Miami-based attorney Jack Thompson has been out of the headlines for a couple months, but the eagle-eyed GamePolitics reported this weekend that the moral crusader is currently set to appear at a disciplinary hearing conducted by the Florida Supreme Court.
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   If the current misconduct charges are upheld, Thompson could face penalties as severe as disbarment.Thompson, responding to GamePolitics' inquiries in typically confident fashion, stated, "The trial isnÂÂ't going to happen, however.I have sued The Bar in Circuit Court.ItÂÂ's in far more trouble than I am."
   
   Previously, Thompson has sued the Florida Bar in a separate incident.Several months ago, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Huck said about the attempt, "Thompson submits nothing beyond wild accusations of a vast conspiracy against him that the Bar is unfairly proceeding against him."
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   by Chris Remo Nov 28, 2006 3:35pm CST tags: Rockstar, Industry News: PC & Console, Controversy, Jack Thompson
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   Miami attorney Jack Thompson suggested that by running the ads, the MBTA was "participating in a criminal conspiracy."
   
   Many of the stories on the topic were sure to mention the oft-cited gameplay possibility of murdering prostitutes after making use of their services.The Boston Herald even asked some prostitutes about the controversy, with one supporting the demands to remove the ads and one responding that she herself enjoys killing prostitutes (and "everybody") in the game.
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   As far as the Boston case goes, the ads will not be pulled prematurely, but according to the full text of Grabauskas' letter, reprinted by Game Politics courtesy of Jack Thompson, the MBTA is revising its guidelines to prohibit future advertising of Mature- or Adults Only-rated games, though the decision was clearly reached very reluctantly.Said Grabauskas in his s