Jack Thompson Petitions Court to Sue GP, ECA
Jack Thompson Petitions Court to Sue GP, ECA
November 16, 2007
Jack Thompson wants to sue me.
For a million bucks.
He also wants to sue the ECA, which represents video game consumers and is the parent company of GamePolitics.
Yesterday, the controversial Miami attorney filed a motion with the U.S. District Court in Florida seeking to add myself and the ECA as defendants in his ongoing lawsuit against the Florida Bar.
The Bar, as reported by GamePolitics, has disciplinary proceedings in the works which could see Thompson lose his license to practice law. Thompson's Bar trial before a referee appointed by the Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to begin on November 26th. Thompson is also suing that referee, Judge Dava Tunis.
So, what does Thompson allege that GP and the ECA did? That's a bit unclear. He seems to hang his hat on the fact that I filed a Bar complaint against him in April, 2006. The Bar investigated my complaint for several months before opting not to proceed on it. From yesterday's Thompson court filing:
One of Thompson’s SLAPP Bar complainants has been Dennis McCauley, who owns and operates the video game industry apologist site... GamePolitics is owned by the ECA, which is the Entertainment Consumers Association. The ECA is part of the collaborative effort within the industry to disbar Thompson. The ECA represents retailers and others who seek the continued distribution of Mature-rated video games to minors.
Wow. Quite a few inaccuracies in Thompson's opening paragraph...
For reasons known only to himself, Thompson has often tried to paint me as a game industry stooge. I think the various game industry entities I've zinged over the years would have a chuckle at that notion.
As for his assertion that the ECA represents game retailers? Hardly. ECA is a consumer group. It would seemingly be difficult for a regular reader of GamePolitics - like Thompson - not to be aware of that fact.
Collaborative game industry effort to disbar Thompson? The Supreme Court referee will decide Thompson's fate based on complaints filed by, among others, two judges, neither of whom has ties to the video game industry. As for the ECA, neither it nor anyone associated with it has ever filed a complaint against Thompson. My complaint, which I filed months before the ECA even existed, was closed out by the Bar in September of 2006.
Thompson has a longstanding, contentious legal relationship with a Florida attorney by the name of Norm Kent. In the motion he seeks to tie GP to Kent:
Mr. McCauley has provided Norm Kent... the opportunity to hold forth on Mr. Kent’s analyses of Jack Thompson on his http://www.gamepolitics.com/ site, with no opportunity by Thompson to respond.
I've searched Kent's name on GP. It appears only four times. Three of those stories carry brief quotes from Kent. A couple of those were published during a time when Thompson was not permitted to post at GamePolitics, so I guess that is what he is saying here. On the other hand, no one has held forth more fervently than Thompson in GP's comments area since I lifted his ban in July. And, thanks to his frequent press releases and high profile in the game violence debate, Thompson gets covered so frequently here on GP that we created a category tag for him. So it's not like he hasn't been given a chance to be heard.
More immediately, what seems to have sparked the attempt to add GP/ECA to the suit was an e-mail exchange yesterday morning. In the daily roundup GP blogged about a gameindustry.Biz interview with Lorne Lanning, Thompson's debate opponent at the recent VGXPO. Thompson took offense to one of Lanning's comments and let us know about it.
Based on Thompson's own words and writings, I didn't think Lanning's remark was especially off-base, but agreed to delete the disputed sentence from the GP story by way of keeping the peace. Within a few hours Thompson had included the Lanning quote as part of the basis for dragging me into his lawsuit. So much for making a conciliatory gesture...
Of the Lanning quote, Thompson wrote to the court:
As if trying to further prove the above-stated point, the ECA’s http://www.gamepolitics.com/ has linked to an interview of Lorne Lanning, whom Thompson debated in Philadelphia two weeks ago.
And then, along comes some anonymous idiot who proceeeds to post a quasi-menacing comment to GP's Lanning story. Thompson was upset about this and I don't blame him. However, I don't screen comments (unless the spam filter grabs them) and I never saw this one. Thompson started sending e-mails to me about the post at 12:12 PM but I was away from my PC for several hours. By 1:30 PM he had added it to court record as a basis for his ridiculous claim against me. At about 2:30 PM, I returned to my PC, saw the comment, deleted it and IP-banned the fool who posted it - as I always do in such cases.
So apparently I am being sued for something inappropriate that someone else wrote. Something that I deleted when I discovered it. Something that, by banning its author, I took steps to prevent from happening again. Yeah, I guess that's justice...
Thompson, however, writes in his motion to the court that I have "allowed" the menacing post:
Dennis McCauley and his http://www.gamepolitics.com/, owned by the ECA has, for quite sometime, been part of that conspiracy... Now the conspiracy has taken the form of solicitations of murder against Thompson... McCauley has allowed the posting of... solicitation of murder...
It's always pleasant to see one's name attached to "solicitation of murder"... Oddly enough, Thompson, who seems to take this "solicitation" so seriously, jokes about it in his lead-in to the court:
WARNING: CONTAINS DEATH THREAT. THOMPSON DOES NOT WANT THE COURT TO BE OFFENDED… OR ENCOURAGED
Frankly, I don't expect Thompson's motion to go anywhere. Federal court cases involving alleged civil rights violations generally pertain to allegations of abuse by governmental entities. In this case, Thompson brought his original suit against the Florida Bar. So he's alleging, essentially, that myself, the Florida Bar and others are wrapped up in this vast conspiracy to get Jack Thompson.
What's more, Judge Adalberto Jordan has to approve this amendment to Thompson's complaint. I don't believe that's likely to happen. Did I mention that Thompson also tried to add Judge Jordan himself as a defendant last month?
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Posted 11/07/09 at 08:44am
JDKJ: And it isn't yet clear what type of ammunition Hasan used. It's strange that he purchased a gun but didn't purchase ammunition for it at the same place and time. Especially because the calibre required is peculiar to the actual gun.
JDKJ: And it isn't yet clear what type of ammunition Hasan used. It's strange that he purchased a gun but didn't purchase ammunition for it at the same place and time. Especially because the calibre required is peculiar to the actual gun.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:40am
JDKJ: We can sit here all day and debate the relative merits. However, I think the events of recent days suggest that an FN Five-Seven ain't exactly the same as that Daisy BB gun you got for Christmas when you were a kid.
JDKJ: We can sit here all day and debate the relative merits. However, I think the events of recent days suggest that an FN Five-Seven ain't exactly the same as that Daisy BB gun you got for Christmas when you were a kid.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:38am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: tumbling can be quite dangerous. However, the rounds that commonly tumbled were variants of the SS90. Civilian ammo tends to tumble far less commonly.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: tumbling can be quite dangerous. However, the rounds that commonly tumbled were variants of the SS90. Civilian ammo tends to tumble far less commonly.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:33am
JDKJ: I understand that while they don't have much expansion effect, they tend to "yaw" on impact. Yaw can be almost just as damaging as mushrooming.
JDKJ: I understand that while they don't have much expansion effect, they tend to "yaw" on impact. Yaw can be almost just as damaging as mushrooming.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:30am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: Except when one considers the lack of expansion for the 5.7, it basically ends up leaving a far smaller hole.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: Except when one considers the lack of expansion for the 5.7, it basically ends up leaving a far smaller hole.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:29am
JDKJ: But if the latter's travelling at close to twice the speed of the former, there's a compensatory effect on the weight difference.
JDKJ: But if the latter's travelling at close to twice the speed of the former, there's a compensatory effect on the weight difference.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:27am
Austin_Lewis: And of course, having nothing pass through or into one's brain is always the preferrable outcome.
Austin_Lewis: And of course, having nothing pass through or into one's brain is always the preferrable outcome.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:26am
Austin_Lewis: For comparison, commonly available 9mm run from 115 to 147 grains. 5.7s run between 28 and 40 grains.
Austin_Lewis: For comparison, commonly available 9mm run from 115 to 147 grains. 5.7s run between 28 and 40 grains.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:24am
JDKJ: Again, I'd rather not have any foreign objects either lodge in or pass through my brain, thank you very much.
JDKJ: Again, I'd rather not have any foreign objects either lodge in or pass through my brain, thank you very much.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:22am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: Better than a larger projectile expanding as it lodges itself in one's brain.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: Better than a larger projectile expanding as it lodges itself in one's brain.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:20am
JDKJ: If it "passes right through" your brain . . . .
JDKJ: If it "passes right through" your brain . . . .
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:18am
Austin_Lewis: I'd rather be hit with the 5.7. The round barely expands, and would likely pass right through.
Austin_Lewis: I'd rather be hit with the 5.7. The round barely expands, and would likely pass right through.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:17am
JDKJ: I'd rather be hit with a 9mm at 1200ft/s than a 5.7mm at 2100ft/s. But if I have carte blanc in the matter, I'd rather not be hit at all.
JDKJ: I'd rather be hit with a 9mm at 1200ft/s than a 5.7mm at 2100ft/s. But if I have carte blanc in the matter, I'd rather not be hit at all.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:12am
Austin_Lewis: Sadly, IIA is the same armor that police, especially in the south where heat is a concern, use.
Austin_Lewis: Sadly, IIA is the same armor that police, especially in the south where heat is a concern, use.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:11am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: It does have a higher velocity than some other rounds on average. However, it fires a VERY small projectile. It can pierce some low-grade body armor, I and IIA stuff, but it fails to pierce anything thicker.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: It does have a higher velocity than some other rounds on average. However, it fires a VERY small projectile. It can pierce some low-grade body armor, I and IIA stuff, but it fails to pierce anything thicker.
Posted 11/07/09 at 07:53am
JDKJ: And while 5.7mm is relatively small in the sense of its projectile size, it's got greater velocity than a lot of other lager calibers. You know what they say: "It ain't the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean."
JDKJ: And while 5.7mm is relatively small in the sense of its projectile size, it's got greater velocity than a lot of other lager calibers. You know what they say: "It ain't the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean."
Posted 11/07/09 at 07:44am
JDKJ: A_L: I suspect that when the story's fully told, it'll be her male partner (Sgt. Todd) who deserves the credit for finishing off the job she started. Not to say that her actions weren't heroic, just to say . . . .
JDKJ: A_L: I suspect that when the story's fully told, it'll be her male partner (Sgt. Todd) who deserves the credit for finishing off the job she started. Not to say that her actions weren't heroic, just to say . . . .
Posted 11/07/09 at 07:07am
Austin_Lewis: That officer did a great service and shot him four times, even though she was shot herself.
Austin_Lewis: That officer did a great service and shot him four times, even though she was shot herself.
Posted 11/07/09 at 07:05am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: It's true, AP ammo isn't available to those oustide LEO/Military fields. The round is smaller than most pistol rounds, but even a pistol round will pierce police soft body armor, especially at close range.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: It's true, AP ammo isn't available to those oustide LEO/Military fields. The round is smaller than most pistol rounds, but even a pistol round will pierce police soft body armor, especially at close range.
Posted 11/06/09 at 10:12pm
JDKJ: No. Reports from the gunshop are that he purchased the gun but did not purchase any ammunition for it. But I understand that AP ammunition in 5.7 X 28mm isn't readily available to those other than law enforcement and military.
JDKJ: No. Reports from the gunshop are that he purchased the gun but did not purchase any ammunition for it. But I understand that AP ammunition in 5.7 X 28mm isn't readily available to those other than law enforcement and military.
Copyright © 2007 ECA. All rights reserved.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
Good. We'll be here forgetting you existed.
Is this the amount that he estimates he'd have made if allowed to run his mouth off unchecked? Or did he just choose that number to seem more like Dr. Evil?
But calling a swan a goose does not make it a goose, now does it?
I was too tired to think of "a spade is a spade".
Exactly.
@ Lard
A duck is a duck...
...and a Jack Thompson is a Jack Thompson (I'd say sir but I'm not one to make blind assumptions, such as what one's gender is here on this site)
@Gamepolitics
Jack Thompson's claims of this site soliciting murder is nothing short of defamatory. Now I'm not a lawyer (at least Jack Thompson has one thing right as far as I'm concerned), but I think you should countersue him for his defamation of this website and your character. The fact that you deleted the comment and IP banned the loser who posted it should be enough evidence for a countersuit
"Promotional stunt now that the Manhunt fervour is dying down?"
I'll take the question mark as indicative of speculation and conjecture.
I'm not sure about everyone else. But I have the feeling the Florida Bar is going to have a lovely present for us this Christmas.
OMG. If I ever put something like that in a filing I was drafting for my boss (I'm a paralegal) I would probably get fired.
I don't see this as shameless JT promotion-- if anything a slightly tongue-in-cheek attempt by GP to discredit JT. Sure, he could ignore all the ridiculousness that is Jack Thompson, but then in all honestly how many of the readers here who fully believe he was a crackpot be entrenched in that idea if it wasn't for the coverage, JT posts, and GP's occasionally snarky reports.
The journalism isn't completely unbiased, but the uncertainity principal applies (since we are citing mathematical principles heh) in that you can't relate something without changing it. Do I think that GP would like nothing more than to see Thompson finally crash and burn is passively trying to help that along? Sure, that's a lot more plausible to me than what you propose and in fact, fits all the criteria you already listed.
I know this great attorney in Florida who can help you with that...
In short, Jack is obsessed with Dennis and this site. It's not the other way around.
The evidence?
Jack writes books worth of news releases and files them with Dennis, whom he expects to put them up on the site immediately regardless of relevancy. (Dennis does not do so.)
When Jack had more liberal posting rights on these forums (back at the old site), he would literally blanket comment fields with a gazillion "press releases" that basically said the same thing ("I was on TV," "murder simulators," etc.) over and over and over and over again.
Again, if you have a theory, it is up to YOU to prove it, not for us to disprove it.
i posit that unicorns exist. if you cannot provide me evidence of scientific nature that disproves unicorns, they must exist.
i dare all to disprove my Chewbacca Defense.
We get that you weren't blurting out names at the two of them. How about you not be an ass towards everyone else at the same time, Mr. 'Get your tongue out of Dennis' ass."?
@Lard
I've seen comments that Rockstar may employ JT due to how much publicity and sales he brings them. You've made your comment about JT and GP. Move on.
@Everyone else
Let it go. It's the intertubes. People make "unusual" comments all the time. Best not to get hung up on them or you can derail a whole conversation.
On a lighter note, what do we think JT will do after his inevitable disbarment? I would say he could be an author, but as evidenced by his spectacular failures in that field, I doubt it. What about game design? The last design he proposed had several folks jump to develop it, some of them pretty good. He could even, I don't know, give money to help sick kids and soldiers in the line of duty. Hey, it could happen! The Vatican finally admitted that the earth goes around the sun and evolution occurs in nature, anything's possible. Hell, evangelicals might follow their lead in accepting science when every single piece of evidence supports it.
And if an organization were to oppose biased or racists legislation, it would not be a social organization with the mindset of protecting specific cultural sections of the country?
Last I checked, lobbyists do not fight flawed legislation in state courts to overturn unconstitutional laws passed by knee-jerk politicians.
Lobbyists, as I am to understand, are there to convince politicians that certain legislation, such as video game restrictions to minors and excessive penalties, is pushed onto citizens of a state that really do not have a say in the matter until post facto.
I'll take those odds! Wait... 2-1 in favor of JT?
There ARE statutes, however, about evading bans on internet sites; if that Florida resident's internet provider were informed of his shenanigans, there's a good chance his internet service would be revoked, as it is against the Terms of Service of most providers.
He's a Shitforbrainsologist.
I would like to say demise and stuff like that. I know GP and everyone here is assuming he's going to loose his license this time. I mean I'd loved for that to happen but Jack's been known to get out of the hot seat on several occasions...even at the worst time with that gay porn thing...we all thought he'd finally done himself in but manage to wheasel out of that with a slap on the hand...
Well that makes your retail stings pretty darn pointless.
"Dennis McCauley has the ability to stop the posting of death threats against me at his site, and he won’t do it. I’m tired of it."
What do you expect GP to do, sit at his computer 24/7 and screen every single post that comes in?
"I have been banned, in the name of “freedom of expression.” That doesn’t strike you as hypocritical?"
Nope. A GP ban doesn't prevent you from expressing yourself or making your opinion known. You are completely free to say anything your little heart desires, you're just no longer welcome to do it here.
Besides, you haven't been banned in the name of "freedom of expression," you've been banned because you've been acting like an ass. You constantly spam the comments section with off-topic press releases and other nonsense, you rarely add anything to the discussion, you're belligerent, abusive, and threatening, and you're suing GP for a million dollars.
And you wonder why you're suddenly not welcome to post here? In your own words Thompson, "duh."
Andrew Eisen
GP: I have had a number of comment & e-mail requests from readers to ban him for some of the reasons you mentioned, AE. However, I have resisted these requests for a number of reasons, the main one being that he is, inarguably, a player in the arena which GP covers.
In recent days, however, he has been threatening to sue me. I advised him that I wasn't putting up with the threats and if he continued, he would be banned. He clearly has now taken that beyond the threat stage. I'm not providing a service to someone who is actively litigating against me.
even in the complaint he is taking potshots LOL
at least chronologically lol
Thank you for being so awesome.
GP: Thanks, Yuki, but this is really about every gamer's rights. To me it's an effort to silence GP via the SLAPP tactic he's always complaining about.
Glad to know you've got my back.
Let's say, just for kicks that video games actually did compell the people in these cases to murder. Let's have a look at the statistics you claim are soo important:
GTA 3 - 7 million+ sold
GTA Vice City - 15 million sold
GTA San Andreas - 12 million+ sold
So there we have 34 million copies of the game you claim trains people to kill sold, and 3 people have become murderers because of it?
"Dennis McCauley has the ability to stop the posting of death threats against me at his site, and he won’t do it."
He has the ability to remove offending posts that come to his attention, but not to block them. True, he could put some kind of word filter in there, but how does that catch everything? Let's say he gets a filter that stops every post with the words "Jack", "Thompson", "attorney", "lawyer", "kill", "murder". I could come along and post "I wish to end the life of Ackjay Ompsonthay". Or refer to you in any number of ways that no person would be able to predict. If you don't like the threats, all you need to do is mail Dennis with the quote and as soon as he is able he will delete it. However, do not expect it to be done the second you press the send button. If Dennis is not at his machine, he cannot do it.
Another point, let's say he did implement a giant filter that caought every single word that could pertain to you. I might make a comment along the lines of "I disagree with what Jack Thompson says, and in my opinion, labelling games as "murder-simulators" is an alarmist and inflammatory tactic."
Even with the simple filter I described above, this post would be caught, and would not be posted until reviewed by Dennis. Now think of how many other legitimate posts would also be blocked? Dennis would not have enough time to do this, considering the amount of work he puts into his journalism and reporting here.
"I’m tired of it. How would you like people threatening to kill you and harasssing you day and night because of dennis mccauley? Would that bother YOU?"
I really wouldn't care, internet tough guys don't frighten me. Perhaps it's because I'm not a big enough fool to spam my address and phone number all over the net. Maybe it's because I don't intentionally antagonise people with my manner and words.
"Why don’t you post this at GP, where I have been banned, in the name of “freedom of expression.” That doesn’t strike you as hypocritical?"
I believe in freedom of expression but i do believe also in a right to privacy and a life free from harassment. If you had been polite to people instead of offering childish insults, threatening (and now finally going ahead with) legal action (doomed to fail though it may be) against the administrator of the site which has been very patient with your behaviour, you would not be banned.
I throw a party, many of my friends come along, but one of them brings a partner who I don't particularly like, but I allow him to come anyway. Over the course of the night he starts insulting me and others at the party, calling names and threatening people. He has every right to do so, but it is not behaviour I will accept in my house, so I throw him out. Is that against his freedom of speech? He has every right to call me an asshole, but I don't have to allow him to do it in my house.
"The coward McCauley isn’t even in the phone book, he’s so afraid of being bothered, and yet he think she can run a site that is a clearinghouse for criminal harassment of me and get away with it.""
It is not criminal harassment you idiot. The comments in question are removed at the administrators convenience (ie. not when the guy is in the shower, or out for a meal, or enjoying a lie-in at the weekend). You are claiming that the people who built a wall are responsible for the words of someone who came along in the middle of the night and wrote "kill Jack Thompson" on it in spraypaint, and the reason they are responsible, is that they did not drop what they were doing, or get out of bed and come along to paint over the message the second it was done.
It's a lose lose situation with you Jack. You are allowed to post, and you do nothing but insult, threaten and spam with irrelevant, self-congratulatory press releases. Your posting status is revoked, and all you do is complain that your freedom of speech is being denied. You are free to speak, but if your speech is not welcome, then Dennis has every right to not accept it. Would you criticize a Black heritage museum for not allowing a clan rally inside it? Or would you criticize the families of deceased soldiers for not allowing the Westboro Baptist Church to attend the funeral. Freedom of speech does not guarantee you a platform from which to speak.
Actually, he has referred to himself as "Wacky Jacky" in the past:
http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/01/21/0044205
GP: correct, both banned...
If the references to a judge in your post are to Judge Alberto Jordan, then I think you are being unduely unfair to Judge Jordan in your criticisms. He's clearly indicated by both the substance and tenor of his rulings in Jack's case before him that he's not tolerating Jack's nonsense, including prohibiting Jack from innundating the court with countless filings. He rules quickly and decisively on Jack's [bowel] motions and doesn't in the least way send the signal that he's at all willing to entertain him. Some of his orders, in my opinion, do indeed border on scathing in their criticisms of Jack's conduct before him. And let's remember that he did refer Jack to the Ad Hoc Committee for filing homoerotic photographs with the court. Yes, he later relented and stayed his referral, but at least he made it initially. Personally, I wish the Florida bench was occupied by more jurists like Judges Jordan and Friedman (who filed a Bar complaint against Jack and damn near had the Sheriff's bailiffs escort Jack from his courtroom in handcuffs). We'd be better off if it was.
I don't think there the same scuzz makes me laugh lard was just a never ending series of *head-desk*.
@GP
I'm behind you and if I did ever post anything that caused you trouble i apologize.
We'd be better off if half the justice system was like that.
@DeusPayne
Either it's his selective hearing or his thinking he's the second coming of christ.
I know he'll be disbarred soon, but this indescribably awful man deserves no mercy. He's only gotten worse since his "modest" video game proposal. You should get something back after all the crap he's dragged you through.
At least spell 'hypocrite' correctly.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PbAoXw_DqvM
First, because he really needs to get a haircut and a real job, and second, he might do better as a rockstar than a lawyer, which he fails miserably at.
So he could theoretically use all this as evidence against him? Wow, Christmas is coming early this year. :P
The Countdown has begun! In 7 more days (1 more week), is Jack Thompson's BAR trial. I don't know what's going to happen in the courtroom, but I hope to hear about Jack Thompson's BAR trial.
And I would hope Dennis isn't losing any sleep over a toothless dog like Thompson, but I can tell you from experience that getting served in a $1 million lawsuit is rather jarring.
Snowmen will be prevalent in hell before this suit goes forward.
2) Thank you for keeping up the good fight
3) Jack Thompson reminds me intensely of John Grubor. Are they related? And does asking that reveal my age?
4) Maybe Jack Thompson has solicited your murder, and he just figured you were returning the favor. :)
@ GP
Any chance you can link to the file?
GP: yeah, it's now linked... near the top
I truly think this man needs professional psychiatric help.
Oh well after he's disbarred he'll have lots of time for finger-painting.
Ive said it before - but he really has lost it this time. Or is that too much? I dont know anymore.
Dennis, I just have to say that I envy your patience dealing with this kind of thing.
This is exactly the kind of abuse that makes our legal system look like a joke. If you don't like what's happening to you, legal basis or not, just sue!
Oy. Here we go again. Another frivolious lawsuit by JT. Where's my lawnchair and popcorn?
GP: actually, I think it's less about the money and more about the amount stress that can be created.
The very idea that GP would want Jack dead is proposterous. Much of GPs traffic is, I'm guessing, because of this extremist's antics.
As for a conspiracy to get him disbarred, it's only a conspiracy if the desired goal is illegal or immoral in nature. Taking away a fanatic's ability to practice law is not morally questionable, it's a moral imperative.
This will go nowhere.
One question though, is this an entirely new case that is being brought to the court system, or did Thompson file a motion on an already existing case? Wish you the best of luck (not likely to need it once the Judge realizes how much of a lunatic Thompson is).
GP: It's an existing case that he filed against the Florida Bar on May 15th. He's trying to add me and the ECA as additional defendants.
Oh, god, will he ever learn...
Thanks.
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/jonathan-coulton-sings-still-alive/
Another thing I am curious about is the logic in aggressively suing (and harrassing) the very organization that has the power to take away his ability to practice law. It seems that you would want to play nice with such a group.
GP: It's ironic that he refers to my Bar complaint (which I filed to end some really unbelievable issues) as SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation)... This guy has "participated" to an amazing degree here. Yeah, I see this a true SLAPP suit. He wants to shut GP up, in my opinion.
He isn't paranoid everyone is out to get him. To be completely serious I have to give him a hand for standing his ground. Unlike most people to day at least he is willing to fight for what he believes in.
GP: Do you REALLY think he believes all of that nonsense?
True he does, unfortunately for him hes wrong.
This will get tossed pretty quick. Under "offensive content" rules, service providers are allowed a "reasonable" amount of time (hint: more than 2 hours), to remove offensive content once notified...
That and the whole idea that he has some inalienable "right" to post here. It's laughable.
Wouldn't that make Jack seem right that there is a massive conspiracy out to get him?
Because judging from the sheer insanity of his own filing, not to mention the plainly out-of-touch conspiracy theories, the man IS unstable.
The only reason why he hasn't snapped in public view already most likely lies with his obsession about (potentially) having a camera focusing on his balding old mug.
"Wouldn’t that make Jack seem right that there is a massive conspiracy out to get him?"
No. Think of it this way. Say you go into a bar and you one by one spit into the face of every patron in the bar. When they all gang up to kick your ass its not a conspiracy, rather its people you pissed off defending themselves. It just seems like a conspiracy when you've attacked a LOT of people.
GP: It's difficult, but given what we cover here, he is a newsmaker... So you just deal with it.
I am not a lawyer, but are you allowed to insult people in court documents? I thought not.
But this is one of the best documents ever. John Bruce realized that it was not up to his usual length of 14+ pages so he had to use large fonts to fill it out. I also love the red font colors he used liberally through out.
Judging by the inacuarcies, lies and misinformation used frequently throughout the document, this will not last longer than the time the judge takes to stamp it "Denied"
I'll just be glad when his last leg of 'credibility' is gone.
As he adds more defendants it is becoming more clear how much he will abuse his privilege to practice law. I think it is just a matter of time before the lawsuit becomes the end of him.
That would be one of the best memberships ever. :D
Whatever...
Well it is obvious that Jack has a habit of tweaking the facts to his own advantage. So he would just scream conspiracy.
I do think its funny that Jack Thompson calls us a conspiracy when its really just a bunch, well a massive amount, he pissed off and all wanna see him fail. He created the "conspiracy" against himself.
Don't hold back. Its okay. You are in no danger. The chances of John Bruce following through on one of his law suit threats is slimmer than the chance of you being struck by lightning while being hit by a train after falling out of a charter flight on a crash route into an iceberg. ;)
Isn't that what paranoid people do?
The guy is a weasel.
Did Jackass just call Dennis immature? Oh god, that whole filing is hilarious. The changed fonts, the asshole sentiments...its classic. I'm making a poster out of it and hanging it on my wall.
Anyway - I don't see how he can get away with this whole "being mentally healthy" thing. I mean, the guy is engaging in self-destructive behavior for himself and his family. The old adage keeps coming to mind, "Crazy people don't know they are crazy..." as un-PC as that statement is, I think it's applicable here.
I really don't know what to do. Try to prove that he's a danger to himself and others, and have him committed for unbiased psychiatric evaluation for 48hrs. See what's really going on with him.
ha thats a good one. He should retake the 5th grade. well then lets see if we can get jack thompson on are u smarter than a 5th grader.
@GP
Keep up the great work! Obviously you're doing something right when someone tries such a desperate attempt at taking you with their dying career.
@GP
Is this really a concern? I'm not clear, but I was under the impression that he long ago lost his right to practice in many other states, which suing you would fall under eh? (unless your in Florida I guess...)
Either way, good luck and we're all supporting you.
In the spirit of the upcoming season we should be better than JT and get him a gift. Perhaps Manhunt 2?
Even if you didn't delete the comment (I'm glad you did tho, those people don't help anyone), wouldn't you be able to fall under the multiple ISP Safe Harbor Laws? If Jack wants to go after the numbnut that left the threat let him, but I would think you're covered.
if this was a criminal case, Dennis could use the insanity plea and back it up with what Thompson said. That's what happened with Charles McCoy Jr. (Thompson said McCoy was the “functional equivalent of a 15-year-old,” which ironically added to his insanity defense)
Can GP try to publish as little Jack Thompson stories as possible?
As Dennis rightly noted, 42 USC 1983 requires a deprivation oif civil rights by a state entity (e.g., the police) or someone acting as an agent of the state. How Mr. Thompson intends to make the arguement that any conduct by gamepolitics and the ECA falls under what the statute refers as "under color of state law" is beyond me, but'll sure be entertaining to watch him try.
If jackie feels insulted (the gods know we have tried) then he has always been free to post elsewhere.
There is a vast conspiricy against him... this is considered common knowledge since he has spounted that line of BS often enough. GP/Dennis is just another in the line of those like Norman Kent, Another that failed or refused to conceed that JBT is correct in all things (or much of anything really) or to bow to his greatness. Dennis even had the gall to ban jackie... obviously Dennis in the heart of the conspiricy and has to be punished I guess.
Mutter. Please, can someone tell me again how JBT was found to be sane?
Personally I think someone should send Judge Jordan a link to jackies wikiquote site (always fun readng). If anything would give an idea of just how unstable he is that would do it.
Don't forget Bioshock, Bully, and of course his favorite GTA. Maybe a 2 Live Crew CD as well.
Thompson has *never* answered my charges, which means he is:
A) A coward
B) Determined to prove my theory correct.
Thanks for showing us what true shysters you and Dennis are, Mr. Thompson.
"Paranoia, paranoia, everybody's coming to get me. Just say you never met me."
OK.......................................
Doesn't look professional at all in my opinion. It kinda looks like e-mail spam or something....
Now that would be funny.
Ever seen any evidence presenting otherwise?
No.
This whole site is a cook up between Dennis and Thompson.
Until I see *proof* otherwise, I will never believe anything but the *truth*.
If he ever had a lucid moment and actually filed a motion without paranoid delusions, showboating, sarcasm, or general douchebaggery, he might actually win a case with the right judge.
Oh, and I provide the following as a point of thought:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism_%28psychology%29
Not neccessarily. GP and the ECA don't become actual defendants unless and until Thompson's motion to add them as such is granted. And the probability of the court actually granting leave to add them as defendants is about zero in 1,000,000.
Um... er..... *truth*.... ookkkkkkkaaayyyyy. Could you maybe sit way over there while waiting for said proof?
Hey JackASS, if you are itching so much for a fight, go join the Army and get shipped off to Iraq or Afghanistan and fight in Dubya's "My God is better than your God and I will kill you to prove it" Wars.
If you read this JackASS....by the Lords of Kobal, may you be thrown back in time and find yourself in the Middle Ages (when good old Christian values reigned supreme) walking down the street minding your own business when suddenly a finger is pointed at you and you hear someone accuse you of being a heretic, or even worse. Then you could experience your (Christian Values) that you preach to us over and over up close and personal bitch.
Seriously JackASS, you need help, you need hospitalization, you are a paranoid, schizophrenic, closed minded nuttchugger.
True but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
Can you add my website (www.fight-2-see.co.uk) to the court case as well. We basicly put you down abit over there. Its not even finnished but i still think it would be cool to get so much publicity! Mr. Thompson... I know where you live and I play violent videogames!
Arent you scared about that? XD
Here's a person who screams "get a life" because, among the many other activities in our lives, video games are a part of our lives.
Yet, from the way it reads, he EXPECTS YOU to be sitting there 24/7 babysitting the blog for every single line that passes through. Then expects you to JUMP when he says JUMP.
I mean, he has a license, but does he have a JOB??? I, myself, am at work right now, like many others (and others are at school/college) sneaking in a post here and there. But him? Sure, you can say he gets paid for the occasional debate or interview. And there is income from other "sources" there. But what about HIM?
People talk about the 30 year olds sitting in their Parents basement playing online all day long. He's over 60 for crying out loud! Get a JOB! I'm sure McDonalds is hiring (I like McDonalds, it's not a bad place to ear OR work). But good grief man! I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary of my 39th birthday, I've been legally blind since birth (even went to a school for the blind as a child) and I've been working since I was 18 (and even before then 'cuz I worked while I was in school)!
The boy needs to get a REAL job and stop mooching off others!
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
They're practically each other's best friend's in terms of publicity.
Each one continually comments on the other whenever they're in the spotlight.
GP: Lard, my job is to write about the newsmakers in the realm where games & politics collide. JT works hard to make news, so I write about him.
Believe me, I'd rather not have to write this kind of story today.
Judging by the number of press releases John Bruce sends Dennis on a daily basis, he is.
You sound a bit paranoid.Do you hear voices in your head???
I DO
It doesn't seem that way some times.
It's McCauley and Thompson you have to worry about.
Together, they're video games worst enemies.
GP: I get the part about JT, Lard, care to elaborate on me?
Judge Jordan should slap you with Rule 11 sanctions for filing this latest piece of nonsense with the court 'cause there's no way you can in good faith believe that your motion has any reasonable basis in fact or law. And if you somehow do believe so, that's nothing more than proof of your mental defectiveness.
Paranoia is a bitch that bites.
The best part, I think, is the 72 point font. I guess he thinks that the bigger the letters are the more weight they carry.
"Can GP try to publish as little Jack Thompson stories as possible?"
I think Dennis walks a very fine line here. On the one hand, Jack sends Dennis dozens of self-aggrandizing press releases and emails, most of which have to do with the topic of the site, game politics, so Dennis publishes them. On the other hand, this seems to just encourage Jack more.
So where should Dennis draw the line?
I admit, every time I see a new GP article in my RSS reader, I think, "Gee, what wacky thing is JT doing now for my amusement?" It's almost as if GP has become the "Jack Thompson Blog."
But if Dennis starts ignoring the press releases, ignoring JT, then he runs the risk of delegitimizing his role as a journalist.
Like I said, it's a fine line. I think Dennis has done a good job walking it.
If you truly believe this then don't post on GP anymore.
JT - shamelessly mentions and promotes GP wherever he goes.
It's an obvious work.
you are just pulling these other poster's legs right? RIGHT?
I'll co-sign "The boy needs to get a REAL job and stop mooching off others!" The Devil does find work for idle hands.
>If you truly believe this then don’t post on GP anymore.
I've been posting this for a month and this is the first time either GP OR JT have even acknowledged it.
@Pen Gun
No, I think this is a better song for Jack, would certainly explain his lunacy.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RMy7zBe8EN4
>you are just pulling these other poster’s legs right? RIGHT?
Sorry, that's Jack and Dennis working together. Not me.
Uhm... A negative needs a positive. Good needs evil. It's kinda how the way the world works. Up and down. Ya know... Opposites?
How about a separate website dedicated to JT stories? That way it isn't always in your face so to speak...
1. The ECA is not owned by the gaming industry
2. GP doesn't get revenue from posts, and there are no ads.
3. Everyone that posts on the internet is a child.
4. The 2005 APA study does not suggest increased violence, or long-term affects.
5. The ECA, Microsoft, R*/T2, the Florida Bar, and every game retail outlet in America are not out to 'get' him.
6. The FCC confirms Credit Cards as a valid form of age verification.
7. GP does not work the way he says it does. (ie, he thinks every post is sent to Dennis, who somehow never leaves his chair, before they're posted)
8. Being a lawyer does not make you a cop. (ie, he thinks his stings are legal)
9. He thinks being a jackass is 'professional.'
Did i miss anything?
Jack, you're a hack who won't listen to the world around you. Thrusting your head into your pillow and screaming so you can't hear anyone else doesn't make you right. It makes you a child. An annoying prepubescent child.
No this beats all.
The squeeky wheel gets the oil. JBT is nothing if not a sqeeky wheel (might not be much more though). He attacks games, gamers, game companies and tries to link it into or with politics and politicians. This is GP, such is expected to be reported here. Though I agree with E. Zackary. I doubt jackie gets the amount of attention he really wants/thinks he deserves.
Even his wackyness is getting commonplace.
>Uhm… A negative needs a positive. Good needs evil. It’s kinda how the >way the world works. Up and down. Ya know… Opposites?
Hitler managed to brainwash alot of people too. (Yes, I'm comparing Thompson to Hitler)
Luckily for you what you say is possible...
You bring up a good point about JT now. He does seem to be falling apart and really trying to put himself in the center of the universe, but he is showing everyone that he really is not capable of doing his job anymore. And the fact that he is very insulting in his official court doccument, I believe that Dennis could bring JT up on a Contempt charge easily because the evidence is right there.
I'm not worried a bit about GP and Dennis because his suit is as frivolous as ever. He never won a case like this and I doubt that with such little evidence and so little actual facts he will win this one. This suit is just one more pen stroke to Jack's disbarment order.
I think that if a Jack Thompson biography will be written, it will start with "Jack Thompson, age 58, at least chronologically." Sorry to Dennis if you get more trouble thanks to this joke, but I wanted to know ho Jack would feel with his tactics and insults backfiring him.
"Hitler managed to brainwash alot of people too. (Yes, I’m comparing Thompson to Hitler)"
So with that example then... The Allies created Hitler so they could start a war with Germany and create a holocaust of those of Jewish dissent? Wow. That's just wrong.
So that means that nobody likes Jews???
HOW DID WE GET ON THE SUBJECT OF HITLER???
Sure, still report on him when he's relevant, but this just demonstrates that he only knows how to antagonize those he doesn't agree with or approve of. If he's not going to be informative, or civil, then I don't see why he belongs here anymore.
That's not what I said and you know it.
Thompson and Dennis together on this from the beginning? More than likely.
In defense of GP and Dennis, I think you are over reacting. The ratio of John Bruce articles to other topics is rather small. There has been a few recently, but there has been only three maybe this week. Compare that to the 20 or so other articles this week, is ratehr small. There has been weeks where there has been none, and some where there has been one or more a day, but it is hardly what you claim.
Despite that, waht you claim is pretty ubsurd. John Bruce has no following outside of GP so how is he really promoting GP? He is not. This court filing will not make it to the national presses and GP all the sudden gets a huge increase in readership.
I think you are suffering from a little tin hat syndrome.
I was simply responding to Lard. My apologies. I just find his statement vastly offensive to anyone who's served in the military.
Oh I can't wait to see how badly Thompson crashes and burns...
Does he mention them every time he's on TV? Yes.
Does he mention/promote them every chance he gets? Yes.
(See the last debate for proof - it was a total unnecessary shoehorning in of a reference to GP during the debate with Lorne)
I think John Bruce has been banned once again. With the news of this filing, it is no wonder.
This site could actually be RAN by JT, for all we know. Have you ever seen Dennis's face? I haven't. And any media apperances of Dennis could be just an actor paid off by JT. Can anyone definitively prove otherwise?
I imagine no one can, but Occam's Razor still says that the simpler explanation is usually more accurate than the convoluted conspiracy theories.
Now if only Court TV would televise him...
Well considering John Bruce's inability to remain on topic and the grudge he has with Dennis, it is expected.
But I do not see Dennis talking about John Bruce publicly outside of GP. So what is John Bruce getting out of the deal?
Go watch "The Wave."
Lots of good Conspiracy Theory material for you right there. [/Sarcasm]
Jack is a retard who spouts nothing but drivel, YES, but High Profile News Media Rings listen to that drivel on occasion. Why? Because it's NEWS.
That means he has relevancy. That means Dennis has to report on Jack's "doings" inside the game/politics arena to actually provide the Full NEWS, regardless of what moron made it and what he made it with.
Of course, Dennis does a good job of providing all the facts that also debunk that old hack, which is why GP is at least levelheaded when it comes to the validity of anything gaming.
He'll be back within a month. I'd stake money on it.
I'll make sure to refrain from taking you to task on dodging the question then or simply using references that do not fit the situation. You mentioned Hitler and I added the rest of the facts relevant to the statement I made before that.
GP and JT working with each other is possible but so highly unlikely I for one need some sort of proof before beliving such statements. Right now you're simply spouting opinion. Just because a lawyer likes throwing GP in his legal dockets is not proof of a working relationship. Under that logic you could reason that JT and Norm Kent are having relations as well.
I'd say more, but it looks like everything has been said. Plus, I don't need a stark raving lunatic to start yelling at me not to be an anonymous coward.
Hmm yeah I guess you're right...oh well. Oh and thanks for responding to me! I consider you one of the best posters here and would love to see you debate JBT. Of course he'd never agree unless you paid him like 10 grand.
THIS was the death threat?
Potential solution: find some gun-crazed, counter strike-obsessed psychopath and have him assassinate [some-lawyer-dood]… preferably while at a school. ;-) (edited to prevent some-lawyer-dood from claiming that somehow I'm threatening him with death)
Wow. And I mean that in the 3-inch-tall-red-Crayola-crayon-on-yellow-construction-paper way...
Maybe I'll submit that to the court docket. With some gay porn, drawn in crayon too...
where can i buy tickets?
Yes, but frankly, the evidence adds up.
Under that logic you could reason that JT and Norm Kent are having relations as well.
You mean JT isn't going to Norm's office every night to pick up his supply of gay porn? How on earth with JT acquire enough to submit to the court in time for his hearing then? ;)
It only takes $3000. John Bruce is cheap. ;)
I think you need to take a deep breath man. Just think about how you sound right now? Cause, uh, you sound kinda like Jack himself with the near-fanatical assertion that things are not what they seem, but only provide ancillary support but no real claims or reasoning to back that up....
I'm not saying that what you are saying is out of the realm of possibility, but has it entered the realm of probability -- not sure it's there yet. If what you say is as obvious and clear as you say it is, why exactly has no one given this serious thought before, especially given that some of the people, myself included, watch both parties like a hawk?
Indeed he is. In more ways then one, lol.
You're not observant enough.
Oh, if John Bruce did not have access to computers, typewriters, pens, or pencils, you bet he will file them in crayon. He is that addicted to file court documents. :)
LOL!
I hope it's a good supply ;)
"Yikes, the red text, oversized fonts… what’s next, crayon?"
Actually, we're already pretty close to the point of crayon. Jack's been known to frequently sign letters and court documents with an over-sized black Magic Marker.
Oh it has been said that John Bruce is a viral marketing plan for Take Two, Blank Rome, Rockstar, GP, Norm Kent, IceT, Janet Reno etc. etc.
Just because it has been said, does not make it true.
And sometimes a duck is just a duck.
HA! Arrogance is not becoming on you. Again, all you are doing is making yourself more like Jack Thompson - belittling those around you and building yourself as the only one who "knows the truth."
You responded only by positioning yourself as what you perceive to be higher intellectual ground in the discussion, but not actually addressing any of my points, effectively avoiding the points entirely by giving what you consider a self-evident response. So, you've skirted the issue, intentionally insulted me, and continue to spout propaganda for which you can provide no concrete support outside of over-generalized conjecture.
You mean JBT and Norman Kent aren't?
Sorry that is not right. I have more respect for Mr Kent and offer apoligies.
@ Lard
Tell me. Aside from your total lack of proof. What would Dennis hope to gain from such an alliance? We have been through this with jack. Dennis does make more money for more people posting.
Yes JBT might well be back within a month. So what? So will you.
@GP
This was coming. Matter of time. Hang in there and you'll get through.
I did not insult you.
Promotional stunt now that the Manhunt fervour is dying down?
Dun Dun Dunnn! The plot thickens.
@ Flynn
If I am correct, because the issue in question occured on the internet, and the internet is federal jurisdiction as well as local depending on crime, the lawsuit can go forward in a federal court...assuming they find a judge willing to stomach this nonsense. I was planning on going to law school, but if clowns can include "noted obscenity traffiker" and the death threat warning that seem childish and immensely unprofessional, I'm thinking that the State Department might be a better way to go. I hear they hiring at the moment.
BTW, Are all legal filings done this way, with hyperbole filled language and borderline libel?
What of it? Does Dennis even make money off of this site? Does an increased number of hits due to advertisement by Jack Thompson benefit him in any way? Do you realize that Jack isn't the only person putting GP's stories into the spotlight?
I'm simply going to call it what it is.
Gut instinct. I can't do better than that.
I have *no* proof and I freely admit it.
@Dennis
All you need to do, is state the facts. Do that, and the court will send that fucker into the brig.
Only when John Bruce files them. :)
For the love of God, think of the judges!
"I have *no* proof and I freely admit it."
Which makes you a lot like Jack Thompson -- only he never admits.
Let's see...an almost impossible conspiracy theory...multiple posts repeating the same baseless accusations...inappropriate exaggeration to cloud the facts...
It's you, isn't it, JT?! ""Lard" IS "Jack"!
Good job tricking us so far, but now that I know "Lard" is just another screen name you use (let me guess -- a riff on the jokes people make about your paunch?) it all makes sense!
Speaking of unfounded claims for which there can be no proof....
"I will take part, in your damned fate!"
I think it's highly appropriate.
1) He says that he only started posting here a month ago, yet he knows so much about all the old stories (since JT and GP have been together since "the beginning").
2) We've never seen his face, nor seen him in the same room with JT. In fact, it makes sense that JT never responded to him before, we might notice the similar writing styles!
3) JT hasn't posted on this story yet...maybe because he's too busy with the flurry of posts under his Lard persona.
4) Implying some sort of relationship between GP and JT would be an excellent method of combatting the conspiracy against him. He could discredit GP, get us to flee the boards, and then only the masses would only be hearing mass media telling us JT is an "expert" and a "lawyer".
5) The "conspiracy" that only Lard is observant enough to spot sounds oddly similar to the vast "consipiracy" that's allegedly aligned against JT. Could this be JT's underlying instability leaking through???
*Note: The above is an example of "crazy". "Crazy" is a very serious condition involving seeing conspiracies that aren't there, chasing red herrings, comparisons to Hitler and strange references to ducks. "Crazy" can't be treated, but we can help the community as a whole by simply ignoring the "crazy" ones.
Also, I am a Doctor of Psychology. Go ahead...prove that I'm not. You have no evidence to the contrary, so it must be true!!! ;)
Check my IP address.
I'm not Jack - just a sceptic.
We should put together an infomercial. Just a penny a day can help Judges like Judge Jordon serve without being berated and slandered. Just a penny a day.
Simply put, you cannot screech about "TEH CONZPIRACYS" without a tinfoil hat. And that is why neither Loose Change nor John Bruce "Jack" Thompson are fooling me.
Did you mean "septic?"
You did, in fact, but thats not the case in point here. But it's becoming apparent that you have no intention of providing us with evidence, only conjecture.
I don't know how we can enter into meaningful conversation if you don't say anything ... meaningful.
>1) He says that he only started posting here a month ago
I never said that. You guys are *way* too blindly following GP.
Plus - I'm not calling you ridiculously insulting names.
3. Everyone that posts on the internet is a child.
I think you hung this one up backwards. This is what he believes rather than the opposite.
5. The ECA, Microsoft, R*/T2, the Florida Bar, and every game retail outlet in America are not out to ‘get’ him.
You left out the word collectively. While it's possible that R* T2 and the bar are out to get him it's not a collective effort. Just because there isn't a plot out there to get him doesn't mean there aren't people out there trying to get him. It's just a collection of individual effort with no teamwork or interaction between the two beyond requires in the case of the Bar.
Can you prove that any of us exist?
I'd still like some sort of rebuttal. Because silence is golden.
While you may not be calling anyone other than GP names, pretending that you are above it is well, something that everyone is going to be skeptical about given the evidence.
Perhaps you missed this:
>Perhaps you missed this:
That's not a rebuttal and not much to go on at all.
You people follow Dennis like he's Jesus.
While I used to believe he was a force for good, now I think he's just Thompson's stooge.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
>Wait a minute!!! Is Lard actually JT??? Think about it…
>1) He says that he only started posting here a month ago
I never said that. You guys are *way* too blindly following GP."
Hmmm...really? Check the link.
http://gamepolitics.com/2007/11/16/jack-thompson-petitions-court-to-sue-...
"Lard Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
@ Lard
>If you truly believe this then don’t post on GP anymore.
I’ve been posting this for a month and this is the first time either GP OR JT have even acknowledged it."
As for you IP address, so what? You could be out in your car stealing WiFi from someone's house, in a libary, using an iPhone or other smart phone for these posts. Saying "Check my IP address" is like saying "No, I don't own these two cars, the plates are different!"
"Are Lard and Pandralisk one and the same?"
I kind of wondered that myself, but Lard is not spewing anti-religious filth, he is spewing good ol' fashion tinfoil hat filth.
They mention each other! They must be working together!
Bush mentioned Saddam often... and Saddam mentioned Bush often... They must have planned the invasion to get Saddam... oh wait, nevermind.
He also threw the Godwin's card, raves like a madman, and blindly stabs at the dark hoping to hit something that isn't there.
If we ignore him will he go away?
Its pretty apparent at this point that Lard is nothing but a troll with nothing relevant to say.
Saying "I think this and I don't see any evidence to the contrary" is *not* the same as saying *X is fact*. I've never said it was fact. I've just asked for evidence to the contrary - and not seen any.
I'm fairly certain that people respond because they just like to argue. Or bait him. Whatever.
"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Or something. Jackie must have finally popped a membrane.
You ignore it all.
Agreed.
@ JT
Thanks for greasing the slide for your career's downfall. It's good to know anti-gamers shall simply commit professional suicide without us lifting a finger. (BTW that's killing your proffession not YOU! Sheesh!)
Anyway, don't let it get to you. You're right, the only reason he's doing this is to annoy people.
You guys really need to stop propping Dennis up on a cross and take an objective look at this site.
Good one Jack! I almost believed it wasn't you again, for a second there. You know, considering there's no evidence to the contrary and all....
We're crucifying Dennis? I had thought that was a bad thing.
@Loudspeaker
Don't be so happy to see him go down. If he leaves, its possible that someone smarter will takes his place.
This site could be used a whole lot more productively than a Jack Thompson media centre.
Maybe JT will become a Fox News correspondent? I mean he's gonna need a new career.
Anyway... @Moobie: Exactly. Jack makes comments like that all the time... totally unprofessional. I'd like him to one day actually have a real claim against something and then have it thrown out of court because of how he filed it. Nah, forget that. He doesn't deserve to ever have a real claim.
This seems like an old feeling, but I'll put it forth again, because it's relevant.
Aren't you legally entitled to counter-sue for harrassment by frivilous lawsuits at this point? I don't think a show of force would cease jack's threats, but at least he'd back up a little knowing you'd be willing to take him head on. Besides, proving he's a liar in court would damage his already crumbling reputation.
Just a thought, Dennis.
Well, now we know why he's been so quiet. Notice he hasn't said anything to this yet either.
Well, to quote one of my favorite lines by Bugs Bunny, "Of course you realize this means war!" :)
It's endgame time, folks. The last actions of a desperate man and he's lashing out. Come on Jacky Boy. Do your worst. You're gonna fail! I've got a spaghetti pizza riding on it! :)
Dennis is right, though. When it comes to things he doesn't like, Jack sues not so much to get money out of it, but to cause so much stress and aggravation to the opposition that it makes it impossible for them to do business. And that's really been his tactic all along. That's what we mean by using the law like a blunt instrument.
Strangely enough, before I even saw this, I sent Dennis an email with a link to an article about a very interesting study that was done. It seems that people who see themselves as highly moral are the most prone to unethical behaviors. Sound familiar? Here's an excerpt:
In the new study, detailed in the November issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology, researchers find that when this line between right and wrong is ambiguous among people who think of themselves as having high moral standards, the do-gooders can become the worst of cheaters.
The results recall the seeming disconnect between the words and actions of folks like televangelist and fraud convict Jim Bakker or admitted meth-buyer Ted Haggard, former president of the National Evangelical Association, an umbrella group representing some 45,000 churches.
"The principle we uncovered is that when faced with a moral decision, those with a strong moral identity choose their fate (for good or for bad) and then the moral identity drives them to pursue that fate to the extreme," said researcher Scott Reynolds of the University of Washington Business School in Seattle. "So it makes sense that this principle would help explain what makes the greatest of saints and the foulest of hypocrites."
It's probably something we've figured out on our own long ago in our many dealings with Jack, but it's nice to finally have an independent source to confirm it. :)
Moron.
What do you want him to do that he isn't already? He is putting out news related to video gaming and politics, he is bringing video game related charities to light, and he provides an arena where gamers can discuss the "game politics" of the day.
And tin-foil hattery "OMG Conspiracies!" is taking an objective look. Sorry, no.
I never said it is a rebuttal. I merely pointed out that Dennis requested more information so that he could rebuttal. Yet you gave none. You cannot rebuttal an argument that is non existant.
Well, if you want some sort of response, I would just say that what you say is highly unlikely. If you look at the kind of media attention Jack Thompson has, it's not exactly positive. For the two of them be in kahoots would imply that GP also wants that kind of media attention.
Similarly, if we were looking at this argument purely from in terms of just GP and JT, it would make more sense. Somehow, bringing 3rd parties into the mix that are admittedly bigger than both GP and JT (i.e. - The Florida Bar and ECA) and using them to fulfill their own individual and media needs seems something that neither the EC nor the Bar would find very amusing. If what you suggest is true, by bringing such a scandal to light, would not only make a mockery of the Florida Bar but also the relatively new organization of the ECA who is still attempting to carve a niche and define its purpose in the industry. The potential risk to the ECA is terms of earning the respect of the industry is something that logically they would want to avoid, and therefore one would assume that both the ECA and Florida Bar would want to verify that the two parties in question would not be feeding off of one another. The inevitable result of the two is that both organizations come out looking like schmucks after being used by two industry pundits.
THAT's why I think more into the real of improbability.
"Did someone say something at the end of 4:21? Must have been the wind."
I think it was someone passing wind.
Wow. You're about as mature as Jack Thompson. And that's saying *alot*.
Oh, right, of course, how could i forget the whole 'they're all in it together' part of it? Such an idiot i am, lol.
@ JT
Forgot to mention about this before.
"2. Dennis McCauley is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a citizen of the United States, and more than eighteen years of age, at least chronologically"
If Dennis is a child trapped in an adult body, then you, Mr. Thompson, are an infant.
>define its purpose in the industry.
And you don't think it's a mockery already?
Yeah, you may be right. Might have been more than that, though; seems to be stuck to the bottom of your post.
Something was passed alright, but I'm not sure it was wind.
Possibly. It's VERY possible we'll have a new face for the violent gaming "issues" with 2008 being an election year, but one fact remains...
JT is the face and voice of the anti-gaming movement. His loss of a license to practice law insures us that his ability to make any sort of law or precident is gone. The beauty is I have no doubt JT isn't gonna just go away quietly after that happens. He'll no doubt continue his crusade as a citizen without a law license.
Until JT disappears from the media, which will never happen entirely, he will continue to be that face of the movement.
Other politicians have unsuccesfully tried this route. If Leland Yee gets ousted from his position it will be a clear political sign that being anti-gamer doesn't help you keep the office you were elected to.
We might see a smarter JT clone, but by that time something new will come about that parents will blame their ignorance on.
Don't get me wrong, I see your side and I REALLY hope that your fear of an uberJT never comes to fruition.
Get your tongue out Dennis' ass and open your eyes.
I think it'd be great if someone got to making an anti-jack book, similar to "Brainless" a book about Ann Coulter's nutjobbery.
What I feel the really sad thing is that no matter how much we might wish it JBT is not going to go away. Even after disbarring. (An event I see as an inevitability not just a possibility)
Mass media has made it obvious to me at least that the sensation of guys like Jack going on TV and using the greatest of our fears, the fear of harming our children to attack what much of established America considers to still be child's play, is a sensation that is not going to go out of style anytime soon.
When people like him stand on thier soapbox and cry out that what they do is "for the safety of our innocent children" then a majority of humans get a visceral reaction to that, and rather than (sadly) educating themselves on the realities of the situation it's much safer and easier to simply listen to the talking head and allow that sensation to take hold of you. They of course know what's best for their kids, but when ol' Jack (and others like him) starts waving the stick called "danger" and calling it "media violence" and specifically "Video Game Violence" then a parent's first reaction to the is a gut level "Wow, that's bad for my kids, I better keep it away from them"
And as long as there are people who fear thier kids getting hurt in any way, guys like Jack'll have an open ear to preach into.
I'm just glad that we gamers are keeping our heads about us and actively fighting guys like Jack
GP by being honest and reporting on him period, very few people have been given more grief by this guy than GP has, and just a true professional he takes it in and keeps working, because he knows he's fighting the good fight.
So to GP I say cheers and keep your head up
There'll always be a JBT out there, but at least he will never go unchallenged.
Okay, yeah. Banning time. Dennis can we get an IP ban on Lard please? He obviously has nothing relevent to add.
I pray the same. Still, best to be prepared.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
FWIW, if McCauley actually focused his attention on getting gamers motivated and active in the voting community, this might be a worthwhile site.
This site could be used a whole lot more productively than a Jack Thompson media centre."
Ummm....who broke the story about the ECA? Who then joined the ECA and became part of the organization? Who has banners for the ECA up? Who also has banners for Rock The Vote, Fun for out Troops, Child's Play and has posted stories on the Video Game Voters Network?
You asked for proof that your assertions are wrong, well there you go. GP is why I joined the ECA and started writing letters to my Congressman and various news organizations pointing out the lies and inconsistencies in their stories. So yeah, the site *does* get people to get more involved.
Not what I turned it into.
>Okay, yeah. Banning time. Dennis can we get an IP ban on Lard please? >He obviously has nothing relevent to add.
Neither did JT, but he was insulting gamers left and right for *months* with *no* ban from Dennis.
Skeptics know that you can't prove there isn't a conspiracy because you can't prove a negative. There is no evidence that a meeting didn't take place because a meeting never took place. You are making the positive claim here and you, not any else, have to provide the positive evidence.
And before you hide under the "this is just an opinion" rock again, I'm going to remove that from the playing field as well. Opinions must be supported too. The difference between an opinion worth consideration and an opinion you pulled from a dark location with your body is support. So provide the evidence for your claim, opinion or whatever else you wish to call it or just admit that it's as valuable to the conversation as stating a preference for cheese and be done with it.
And as for Lard, which must stand for "Look! A Real Douchebag!"... you must not have finished your research. I'm not a supporter of violent media, but I am pro-justice; the crazy nut from Miami is ignoring the way the legal system works, and it's about to cost him everything.
"I’ve just asked for evidence to the contrary - and not seen any."
I believe the entire world is an illusion created by my own mind. Give me proof that it isn't. Oops, you can't.
Just because people can't provide evidence contrary to your ridiculous conspiracy theories doesn't make them true or even defensible. Like my example above, if someone comes up with a theory patently absurd enough people won't be able to refute it, yet that in no way lends validity to their claims.
Irrelevant. Try telling a cop that the car in front of you was going faster than you were. It won't get you out of a speeding ticket, trust me.
Now he really is getting desperate.
And I would be perfectly happy if GP focused on *real* issues instead of shamelessly promoting JT every week.
"Neither did JT, but he was insulting gamers left and right for *months* with *no* ban from Dennis."
JT wasn't using gay innuendos in his speech, dumbass.
He's trying to go out with a bang, and a bang he is making.
Go take a look through the archive. Hell, just look at the number of articles under the various categories.
Already did, nobody's actually bothered to acknowledge it.
Uh yes you did. You were the one who first equated Dennis to Jesus. Selective memory much.
Hasn't JT been banned a few times? Only to have said bans lifted when he promised to play nice with the other children...
And I second the "Dennis can we get an IP ban on Lard please? He obviously has nothing relevent to add." motion. Can we bring this up to a vote please? Or just fast-track it to an executive decision. If he feels so strongly about this I think he should follow the advice given to JT several times... go start your own blog about how this site is a sham.
I think the body count's at an even 60, now, if you go back to the LJ days.
Go, man, go!
Everyone complains about lawyers being evil until they need a good one. I dont agree with Jack 100% but Dennis did you link a court document containing Jack's personal information like home address and phone number. Yes it is public record but that was below the belt and contains a certain biased dont you think? He was threathen in RL shortly after that by the kid in california.
Thompson can't be banned. He scrambles his IP.
The flip side is that he loses crediblity every time he says something.
You have yet to show any kind of support toward your opinions. You also have not shown any kind of evidence that is not speculative about why Dennis and GP is a threat to the video game industry.
Please elaborate.
If you want to have a site with only stories you want to see then start your own blog. This is Dennis' blog and he will post the stories he wants.
Until then, I will continue to go with my gut. And be berated by fanatics who refuse to accept any *minute* criticism of this site.
I think Dennis walks a very fine line here. On the one hand, Jack sends Dennis dozens of self-aggrandizing press releases and emails, most of which have to do with the topic of the site, game politics, so Dennis publishes them. On the other hand, this seems to just encourage Jack more.
So where should Dennis draw the line?
Ideally, Dennis wouldn't give him any acknowledgment at all. Delete the "press releases" Jack spams everyone with. Don't post any stories in regards to Thompson suing someone over games, being in a debate. Then maybe Jack's obsession with Dennis would finally fail after getting no reinforcement, and he'd move onto someone else.
Unfortunately for Dennis and us, that's not good reporting practices. Particularly with as vocal as Jack is in the area of attacking video games. The man tries to get anyone that'll listen to push legislation, and tries to tie any act of violence to games. Not reporting on him churning the water wouldn't be good reporting. As things stand, Dennis should probably ban him posting again to keep comment discuss from being derailed so often, but that's really about the only improvement Dennis could make until Jack manages to get himself committed or imprisoned.
Remember people. Please don't feed the troll.
He must be trying to set a world record for "most simultaneous lawsuits by one person"...
Fine. Have it your way.
Quite on the contrary - Lard may have some weird theories, but at least he's civil(er) that most people who disagree with the majority on here, and he at least supports his ideas somewhat, if woefully short of what I'd like to actually be able to debate his assertions with him.
He does have something relevant to add, if we can just get him out of the realm of conjecture and into the realm of "I have intelligent things to say and here is why ..."
Oh SURE! Ruin our fun...
*pouts in the corner* ;)
Thanks for being civil.
ROFL.
A civil troll is still a troll.
"and he at least supports his ideas somewhat"
As much as Jack supports HIS ideas, which is to say, their only proof is the vast paranoid conspiracy in their heads.
Anyway, Icehawk is right, feeding trolls is bad. To ignore mode!
That is like trying to prove to someone who believes the sky is green but refuses to look up that the sky is in fact blue.
The burden of proof falls with the accuser.
Well, that is the issue in a nutshell. He has stuck himself in the realm of conjecture and refuses to get into the realm of fact based arguements.
Until he does so, he isn't adding anything to the conversation and is just serving to draw attention away from the post at hand. JT throwing a lawsuit party and GP is invited.
Removing his ability to derail the discussion further if he is unable to add to it is what we are advocating and the people telling us not to feed trolls are saying as well.
And yet all anyone has provided is insults.
Even the air is out to get him.
And chastising me when *noone* has provided any evidence of their own and simply saying "go away" is most definitely the pot calling the kettle black.
If you're going to make an insane claim, you need to provide proof.
You have provided none, so there's nothing to rebut.
All of your responses add up to one thing, which is you're just a troll.
That will be my last response to you, because you're not worth the time.
Ignore him, people. Move along.
Unless you use acid or fire. :p
So in essence, I am skeptic of skeptics as well. *time paradox*
I do believe it's you that needs to look objectively at this site. If you take the site at face value which is the only evidence you DO have, you have a site dedicated to posting news about the political and legal activities of video games. Given how active Jack Thompson is in the legal arena relating to video games, it's completely rational that Jack Thompson would receive a fair deal of coverage. High profile people get covered, in the same way that Paris Hilton driving drunk gets a news story, while Joe Schmoe driving drunk does not.
Lard Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
>Right now you’re simply spouting opinion. Just because a lawyer likes >throwing GP in his legal dockets is not proof of a working relationship.
Yes, but frankly, the evidence adds up.
----------
Lard Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
>Dun Dun Dunnn! The plot thickens.
I’m simply going to call it what it is.
Gut instinct. I can’t do better than that.
I have *no* proof and I freely admit it.
----------
So in 16 minutes, you went from "the evidence adds up" to "I have no proof". So as you have no proof, exactly *what* evidence is it that adds up?? If you're going to go on a nutso conspiracy tryst, at least try not to contradict yourself.
The sky really is green in your world.
"And chastising me when *noone* has provided any evidence of their own and simply saying “go away” is most definitely the pot calling the kettle black."
Peter Noone provided evidence? Awesome.
I don't have any proof that the light goes off when I close the fridge, because I've never seen it or tested it. That doesn't mean, however, that the light stays on.
If you can't stand the heat, Jack . . .
You talk about the privacy filter catching alot of stuff but you must have turned it off when you post.
I agree Jack is not a saint, but hes a lawyer. Lawyers sue people. I believe Jack is a passionate man aggressive went it coming to his cases. If you want a good lawyer you want someone with the same principles as you or better or you have lost. You dont want a Pussy, who takes the easy way out and settles.
Fair point.
I just simply meant that (as I said before) Thompson continually mentions GP any chance he gets - whether it's related or not. On TV, during the debate with Lorne - he shoehorns in GP everywhere he goes, whether the topic is appropriate or not. It's shameless promotion.
Cross-wise, GP records *everything* JT does. (I'm sure you can find out what JT has for breakfast in the mornings via this site).
It seems like willing, able cross promotion between the two and it seems like it's been going on for a long time.
So, it's not hard evidence. And I admit that.
It's me looking at two things and saying "those two things seem to go together".
I have nothing more concrete than that - but is that at least coherent enough for you?
"And chastising me when *noone* has provided any evidence of their own and simply saying “go away” is most definitely the pot calling the kettle black"
The difference is, you are the one making the claim that JT and GP are in it together. As you are the one making the claim, the burden of proof is on YOU to substantiate the claim. Using your logic, I can claim "dogs are better than cats" and unless you can provide conclusive proof to the contrary, that makes me correct? Ludicrous!
@Likely A Retarded Dimwit:
Just shut up.
I am the perfect example of the modern gamer and I am exactly why Thompson reports on gamers insulting him and sending him death threats.
I have no manners.
Dick Cheney
Mohammad Atta
Lucius Rougeau (head of the League of Reverse Vampires...you don't know him)
Gabe and Tycho
The evil clown doll from Poltergeist (that thing ruined my childhood)
The Atlantean Illuminati
I'm not even sure a lawyer would be needed to defend against that suit. A ten-year-old can see through the gap in logic there.
Hilarious.