Jack Thompson Sees Violent Video Game Link in NIU Campus Shooting
Anti-video game violence activist Jack Thompson appeared on (where else?) Fox News this morning and once again tried to draw a link between violent video games and a deadly school shooting. In this case, Thompson related games to yesterday’s rampage at Northern Illinois University.
Although we didn’t catch the segment, Thompson e-mailed his comments to GamePolitics, attaching a screen shot from the Fox interview:
I was on the Fox News Channel this morning because of the possible violent video game connection to this latest massacre at Northern Illinois University.
In the e-mail, the embattled attorney related his violent video game crusade to his ongoing struggle with the Florida Bar:
I am certain that the past and future survivors of these incidents will not fully understand why The Florida Bar is seeking to destroy a latter-day Paul Revere… for his telling the truth about companies and lawyers that are spawning, for money, these types of events.
GP: The facts are not yet in on the NIU rampage, of course, but that has never stopped Thompson from rushing to blame video games in the past. GamePolitics readers will certainly recall Thompson blaming the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre on games even while police were still securing the campus.
Among the few details known so far is that the shooter, Stephen Kazmierczak, had a stellar academic record. Press reports describe him as a 27-year-old graduate student, so he was well past the age where any type of video game content restriction would come into play.
UPDATE: Fox is now reporting that Kazmierczak was not taking his medication for an unspecified condition and acting erratically in recent weeks. So, once again, a disturbed person goes on a rampage with a gun, not a video game.
UPDATE 2: GamePolitics Correspondent Andrew Eisen has pointed us to a video of Thompson’s Fox appearance (below). Thompson rambles a bit, loses his train of thought midway through and even makes reference to a chapter that didn’t make it into his not so highly-regarded 2005 book, as if to say, “look, I predicted this!”
February 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
That train’s never late.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
here we go again.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
“I am certain that the past and future survivors of these incidents will not fully understand why The Florida Bar is seeking to destroy a latter-day Paul Revere…”
Am I the only one that almost spewed a drink from the unintentional hilarity and sheer egotistical nature that it took to make that comment, especially considering he meant it seriously? I was taking a sip of my milk when I read that, and I almost ended up with milk on the screen.
Also, it’s almost good to see Whacky Jacky in the news again. Ever since those possible disbarment proceedings started, it’s been different not seeing him yelling every time I turn around.
These two combined leads to another question: If Jack is disbarred, but still shouts just as much about video games and such, will that drive the unintentional comedy scale even higher?
February 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
If there is as little link between games and this shooting as there was in the VTech shooting, the industry needs to get on the horn and discredit this as soon as possible. The facts will emerge over the next few days and it is high time that Jack Thompson is not the only voice providing heavily biased (and often times outright fraudulent) insight into these events.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Well, Good ol’ John Bruce didn’t take long. Wonder what other sensationalist bullshit we will see spout from his mouth before the end of the week.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Thompson keeps saying that his only issue is violent video games being sold to children.
The shooter in this case was 27.
Andrew Eisen
February 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I was expecting this. School/university + shooting/suicide = Jack Thompson making a speech.
And of course, Faux noise is there to give him air.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Man…. man…. if only I had the energy to care what JT said any more.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
“And the Fool wrote out his ramblings on the paper that was made of the wood of the Prince, and said ‘You do not frighten me, Prince, for I am a warrior of truth and justice, and you are not. I speak the truth while everyone else speaks lies. So, do your worst, for my belief in the almighty shall protect me against your King!’. And then the Fool knew the name of the King.”
Jack Thompson’s career in a nutshell. And, bonus nerd points to whoever gets the reference.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
The shooter was 27 by which it should not matter what game he played because he is over 18.
Even if there was 100 school shootings happening and the excuse every time was video games it still does not mean anything when it comes to other situations that are way more effective than video games.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Jack sure doesn’t wait for facts to emerge does he? Yet again he lives up to the title of massacre chaser. We, and he, knows nearly nothing about this killer and yet he thinks he knows the shooters motivation for killing.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
He was 27, so he was no kid and he served as vice president of the university’s Academic Criminal Justice Association and got good grades. This to me says mental issues, not gaming trained killer. But even if GTA is found, is he prepared to say that these games should not be sold to adults either?
But my gut tells me that yes, he probably played video games. I am NOT saying it is a cause! Just good lucking finding somebody who doesn’t play video games at all these days. So JT will make sure it will have a gaming connection.
My guess, he will blame the GTAIV posters for sending him over the edge.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
*sigh* I saw this coming the minute it hit the news. -.- Jack. I hope to GOD they find that the kid actually hated videogames.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Was anyone hurt in this one?
I don’t see much data on this one anywhere.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Eh, knew it was coming.
Prayers with the families and survivors.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
i am sickened to no damn end by this digusting piece of garbage that dares to call itself human
this is what shakespeare was talking bout ( no im not advocating violence)
February 15th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
At least he’s calling it a “possible” connection.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
From what I heard this morning, the guy had just stopped taking medication for emotional issues, and people who knew him had noticed a sharp change in behavior over the past few weeks. Sounds to me like this is a case of an unstable person who was off his meds.
No mention was made of video games.
The truth will come out, and JT will end up appearing as inane as…well…JT. Nothing else even comes close to adequately describing it.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
@JC
6 dead, plus the shooter. Several others wounded.
As for this…I’m not suprised, at least this time he waited until the bodies had time to cool before spewing his bullshit all over the place.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Did I miss the verdict from his fscking court stuff regarding disbarrment?
What was it?
February 15th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Jack is a disgusting human being. He proves this time and time again. He has no shame, he has no decency. There really isn’t much else to say.
How dare you Mr. Thompson.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
It’s the same song and dance. I don’t get why this is still going on.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
As stated by LAG, this guy was a emotionally troubled person who stopped taking his medication. Are we to believe he was too busy playing Mass Effect (porn!) to remember to take his meds?
If there is a god, JT’s constant string of lying and using tragedies to boost his own ego is a sure fire way to get to hell. Just saying.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
It’s already hit YouTube…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTu0X8TQ2i4
Some days, I hate how fast this crap spreads.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Youtube now recently has a video of Jack talking on Fox News and he lied saying that Cho trained on Counter Strike when he was in High School.
I hope he gets into trouble for the lies he makes so us gamers would not have to deal with him starting any more trouble about video games.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
According to Yahoo (link in my name), he was 27 and off meds. To me that’s too old to play the “poor kid brainwashed by video games” angle. It’s not games that are negatively influencing society, it’s lawyers attempting to make any horrible action perfectly excusable.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I didn’t know JT was part of the investigation team. I guess he has some real insight into what police are slowly discovering. He was right about the Vtech shootings…..OK, so, he got that one wrong, and a bunch of others, but by his insane logic he has to be right one of these days right? For a guy who is hanging on to his legal career by a thread, shouldn’t he be keeping a lower profile? then again, JT and logic never got along.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
“Did I miss the verdict from his fscking court stuff regarding disbarrment?
What was it? ”
The Bar hasn’t come to a decision yet, or else GP would have posted it by now.
As for the news, well, stuff like that is what caused the phrase “massacre chaser” to be coined almost a year ago.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Some how when I saw this on the news last night. I knew somewhere in Miami, Jack Thompson was putting on his massacre chasing shoes.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
@GPman
He’s been saying such games shouldn’t be sold to adults either, otherwise he wouldn’t be shooting for outright bans. Actions speak louder than that rectum he calls a mouth.
Jack Thompson, never late for a train wreck car crash or school shooting to make a buck.
And I think he slipped on this one. For Vtech he was on the new before the day was over
February 15th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
So is Jack Thompson is attacking adults playing video games or adults with guns? He is trying to repeal either the First Amendment or the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.
He has just lost ALL the respect points he had gotten for seeing the Mass Effect had no porn.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
The first thing he says is “I wish I weren’t here.” Yeah, I’ll bet he doesn’t.
Also, count the times he says “Um…” He has no clue what’s going on and instantly goes into his book spiel.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Leave it to old JT to gut the victims and climb inside while the bodies are still warm.
BTW, whatever has become of the Florida bar case against him?
February 15th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
First rule of public speaking: Never say “um”.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Ugh, I hate this. When I hear about shootings, my first thought she be sorrow for the victims. Unfortunately, before my brain can finish processing anything, my annoyance at Jack Thompson is already at the front of the line.
Also, I tried watching the clip, but literally couldn’t make it through it. As soon as he mentioned Virginia Tech, I had to close the window.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
@Tyler Baumbarger
If he thought that, he wouldn’t be there.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Our views on Paul Revare: Wanker.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
“I was on the Fox News Channel this morning because of the possible violent video game connection to this latest massacre at Northern Illinois University. ”
OMFG he said “possible” this time! Could he it be that he doesn’t want to be made to look like an idiot the same way as during VTech?
February 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
@mogbert
No, he’s just gunning (pun intended) for the first amendment. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say anything bad about the right to bear arms. Nevermind that it’s enforcement of the second amendment that’s largely responsible for the VTech shooting (Cho was mentally unstable, and should not have been allowed to have a gun.)
February 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I already knew this would happen as soon as I heard about the shootings. I also knew good ol’ Jackie boy would be the first to claim it and even before they had finished investigating.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Jack might also say that even though this guy was 27 years old, that when he was a kid/teenager he played violent video games and therefore games are still to blame. Doom came out in 1993, and we all now how Jack feels about that game.
Blah. Jack being such a disgusting human being doesn’t even evoke feelings of anger in me anymore. It’s just the same typical BS.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
@Vinzent
OMFG he said “possible” this time! Could he it be that he doesn’t want to be made to look like an idiot the same way as during VTech?
Obviously not, because he’s still claiming that VTech was caused by video games. Curse you, Sonic the Hedgehog!
February 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Firstly, my condolences to those affected by this tragedy.
Secondly, Thompson is just absolutely batshit crazy, and people like him and Prokofy Neva simply couldn’t live without this kind of fear-mongering and one-message-to-the-exclusion-of-facts outright lying. It is absolutely astounding to me that people give him airtime *at all*.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
@kurisu7885
My point exactly. He loves getting air time.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
larouche is acting stupid as well
http://www.larouchepac.com/news/2008/02/14/northern-illinois-school-shooting-typifies-threat-united-sta.html
February 15th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
“I am certain that the past and future survivors of these incidents will not fully understand why The Florida Bar is seeking to destroy a latter-day Paul Revere… for his telling the truth about companies and lawyers that are spawning, for money, these types of events”.
What I am certain is that past and future survivors of these incidents will not fully understand why Jack Thompson lied and scapegoated something that a little if anything at all to do with those events.
If videogames was the answer to “why did this happen?” it would be pretty simple but it doesn’t. It doesn’t explain why these events happen every few months in the U.S. and why it doesn’t happen in Canada (with the exception of the Dawson college incident) while the youth of each countries play the same videogames.
I do not or ever will understand why someone would chase these massacres and place blame on videogames instead of looking for answers.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Several hours ago I read the news about the shooting and after a moment of silence I couldn’t help myself… I said to my friend: “Guess what the headline on gamepolitics will be when I get home later tonight…”.
And here he goes, foaming at the mouth already.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I heard on the radio that the guy wasn’t taking his medication which caused him to go mental.
And when I herad that the first thing to pop in my brain was “And yet still its going to be blamed on violent video games.”
Sadly…..I was right.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
This was about as predictable as the tide. *sigh* Its nice to see that JT is still chasing his agenda without concern for such things as proof and evidence and facts.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
As an aside, what’s really amusing is that Paul Revere’s role in history has been blown out of proportion by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem. Revere’s ride was actually a fairly short one, through a few cities. It was Israel Bissell who made the journey of almost 350 miles to warn the colonists of the British invasion. Also Paul Revere would never have shouted “The British are coming!” because all the colonists at that time considered themselves British.
I don’t know how this relates to Jack’s self-claims of being like Paul Revere, but I thought it was interesting to note.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
With the update I wonder, does Jack think that video games are the main factor and that the guy being off his meds is a moot point? Is Jack that willfully ignorant to ignore the blatant mental issues of this man?
February 15th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I am a little surprised it took him this long though. I would’ve expected him to start the massacre chasing about 20 hours ago. He’s getting old I suppose.
I really can’t help but laugh at the pathetic nature of his massacre chasing though. This just reeks of desperation. An old man trying to cling to his old beliefs no matter what in direct contrast to reality.
I’d feel sorry for him if he wasn’t such a douchebag.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
No surprise, *sigh*
I wonder if he thought “good” when he heard about the gay teenager who was shot by someone in his class purely because he was gay?
February 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
You know, I shouldn’t be, but I am kind of surprised. I figured he was going to continue to lay low until after his Bar judgment.
@treydawg
Did I miss something? Since when is Microsoft the parent company of Facebook?
February 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
“I was on the (Fox News Channel) this morning because of the possible violent video game connection to this latest massacre at Northern Illinois University.”
-Bracketed portion renders this statement irrelevant
(Cooper Lawrence syndrome)
Since Jack’s career in law seems to be hanging in the twilight, I believe that we should begin referring to Mr. Thompson as a Miami-Dade psychic. He how has two major references on his psychic resume (Virginia Tech, and now Northern Illinois). This obviously makes him an expert.
Unfortunately for Jack, he seems unable to comprehend that people will be questioning his expertise and asking him “hey didn’t you say you were a lawyer last month” after the Florida Bar revokes his bar license.
@Jon Kanders
Yes, you could probably set your watch to it.
Works out great for everyone else, because it means he’s devoting less time to actually trying to defend his legal career. Not that it actually matters, but he continues to pile **** on a mountain of ****.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
“I am certain that the past and future survivors of these incidents will not fully understand why The Florida Bar is seeking to destroy a latter-day Paul Revere…”
Fun Fact: Paul Revere did almost jack squat for his country. He only rode about 20 miles or so, while another guy rode over 300 miles. The only reason the poet used his name is because it sounded better.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Typical fraud noise channel hog shit.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Oh my god! This story has just sparked a debate in my office. I’m about 30 and I was “discussing” this with 45 and 50 year old people. My jaw dropped at some of the things they said. It didn’t help that I was debating it with both of them at the same time and they kept talking over each other.
For one, they thought that too much was being allowed in the name of the first amendment. I asked where the parents were. They said I was doging the question, since parents can’t control their children 24/7. I asked where the HiDef TV and video game console were. They went and said that some parents were bad parents, so the children could still get a hold of these violent games. I countered with asking how much free speech they thought the government should censor in order to remove the choice from both bad parents and good parents so that society would be safe. About this point, the other people in my group felt that work needed to get done again.
I skipped a lot of the arguments and counter arguments, but I brought up parenting, first amendment, the ratings system, theapudic release visavis a punching bag. It helps that I was a suitable counter to a lot of their points. I have seen pornography when I was young, but have only ever had one partner (who I am married to), and that I was the one always getting picked on and beaten up, and even though I had access to a gun, and was proficient with a bow and arrow, sling shot and throwing knives (I grew up in the country) I only ever got in one fight, in which I was cornered.
They wanted to argue that you couldn’t believe statistics and facts because they differ from what they see in the ghettos of the city I live in and what Faux News tells them.
I never noticed before, but I’m in an office of sheep. They feel the government should raise their children and that the first amendment should be weakend. I have never felt more alone.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
@treydawg :
“larouche is acting stupid as well”
It’s a pleonasm
February 15th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I certainly hope that idiot wasn’t blithering about “cranial menus” and “programmed accuracy surpassing trained professionals”…
Police found 48 shell casings and six shotgun shells at the scene. He killed 6, including himself, and injured 16 more.
If he was a video game-trained killer, then by Jack’s logic, 54 people should be dead, all shot in the face…
February 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I’m very disappointed. But I shouldn’t have been so surprised. It is Fox news after all. But did they learn nothing from the last time he was on?
I also should have known better than to think he’d have the sense to stay quiet when his license is in order. But to compare himself to Paul Revere is extremely galling. It really does speak to his martyrdom complex, doesn’t it?
Hopefully Judge Tunis will take this into consideration when she makes her final ruling.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
@Shrike:
You shouldn’t be surprised, Faux Noise’ll give any idiot with functioning vocal cords airtime, whether they know jack s*** about anything or not (usually leaning toward ‘not’)
@Mazinger-Z:
It probably hasn’t happened yet (and can’t come soon enough, apparently.)
@mogbert:
What do you think? When has he ever gone after “not videogames”?
February 15th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
He was off his meds? I know, let’s blame $cientology!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s the Massacre Chaser to the rescue!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Fox News. Bringing fair and balanced coverage of video game news from Cooper Lawrence and Jack Thompson since God knows when!
I love how Fox News brings Thompson on their network just weeks after the Mass Effect incident.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Next time there’s a school shooting could some paramedic gamer in Florida do us all a favour and drive by Thompson’s house with your lights and siren blaring?
Be sure to drive slow, so he stays interested in the chase, but not so slow that he can catch you. If he begins to show signs of fatigue, stick your head out the window and yell; “THE 12 YEAR OLD BOY IN THE BACK WAS INJURED WHILE PURCHASING GRAND THEFT AUTO FROM BEST BUY WITHOUT HIS PARENTS’ CONSENT!!!”. That will perk him right up. Hell, I bet the man could five marathons with that sort of incentive.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
“brain scan studies out of Harvard”? I’m not going to bother looking for it.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
““brain scan studies out of Harvard”? I’m not going to bother looking for it. “ -janarius
Wise decision. They don’t exist.
Andrew Eisen
February 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
FOX News keep paying Jack his fee’s. Jack therefore comes out with more shit. Viscious circle continues.
So the real wankers are FOX. Jack is the fuckwad in this example.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
@kaemmerite
Hell, Doom keeps coming up as a prime example for game censorship.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
@ Jon
The train is late because it derailed
And I believe Chris Titus said it best.
“Be normal, and the crowd will accept you. Be deranged, and they will make you their leader.” And he certainly was made a leader in his own mind.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
[…] Who Was the Illinois School Shooter? [ABC News via GamePolitics] […]
February 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I would think JT would wait until the facts came out before distorting them. I guess he went out and starting straight up making shit up instead of waiting to twist the facts.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
@Ebonheart
I’ve said ti befor,e self importance isn’t the same as actually being important.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hmmm, I have a friend who was studying brain-wave activity when he was at Harvard… granted he was monitoring sleep deprivation, but I’m sure JT can pervert that somehow.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Didn’t they only announce the Perp’s identity this morning? Talk about jumping the… never mind. Also, having been on anti-depressant meds in the past myself, I can attest that they can certainly screw you up if you go cold turkey. Even if they don’t appear to have any affect while you’re still on them.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Same old boring predictable crap from Jack. Plugs Columbine, Pedukah, Erfurt, etc. He’s just running his mouth as much as he can before his disbarment. *yawns*
February 15th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
“I wish I weren’t here.”
Bull-fucking-shit! The only thing Jack loves more than the spotlight is linking real life tragedy to fictional video game violence. It gets him hard as a rock.
But why should we bother complaining at this point. Look, he’s STILL saying Cho trained on Counter-Strike despite the overwhelming PROOF to the contrary. Some people are just lost causes, and Jack is one of them.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
“I am certain that the past and future survivors of these incidents will not fully understand why The Florida Bar is seeking to destroy a latter-day Paul Revere”
The nads on this guy.
Is there anyone with more misplaced arrogance than the world’s premiere massacre chaser Jack Thompson?
February 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Jack Thompson has already proven thoroughly that he speaks he’s very devoted to his crusade and that what he’s going to say is going to say is not in accordance with factual information. I know this, I think everyone on this site knows this, but Fox News doesn’t know this?
So is Fox really that stupid, or do they care so much about ratings that they willingly bring on someone that Fox knows will misinform Fox viewers. Just because …..I’m guessing for controversy that will raise ratings.
Why bring on Jack Thompson then. Why not bring on Paris Hilton, or anyone who whose voiced opinion on a serious matter would make headlines.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
@Thomas P.
Didn’t you know? If he waits for the facts, he has to at least pretend to go by them. If he makes up the facts first, then anything contradicting him is part of the game industry experience. Note how he still claims that Cho played Counterstrike, and there were all those times he yelled at the police because they couldn’t find the video games he “knew” where there.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Now that the video has been posted, I have to ask why FOX did not inquire into any other “Video Game Experts” and went straight to John Bruce who of course waste no time in getting his sensationalist bullshit out in the main stream media.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I would love to know who made the first phone call, JT or Fox News. Can you imagine how EXCITED JT must be whenever something like this happens? He is a sicko.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
So the mental molestor of families, individuals, and communities that have suffered tragedies is out and about trying to interfere in another investigation and tamper with evidence and witness testimony, eh?
Not a surprise.
Quite frankly, I’m surprised he’s not getting involved in the CA school shooting that left a 15 year old brain dead.
Oh, wait, that was a possible hate crime. Which could, if pushed with similar ignorance as John Bruce’s, be linked to religious bigotry. Nah, he doesn’t want to risk a demand to search the home and computer of the shooter for religious propaganda based on bigotry. Might lead someone to demand legislative efforts to “Protect The Children!” from bigotry and hate being taught by religious organizations. Based on his own beliefs (as seen in numerous situations, including video games such as Bully and his so-called debate on gay marriage as well as his battle with Norm Kent), he really wouldn’t want THAT to start happening, huh?
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
February 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
@ Kurisu
I know it isn’t. It tends to follow “Just because you’re necessary doesn’t mean you’re important”
February 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
@ Papa Midnight
Because the other video game experts know better and probably refused right away. And most likely they have better things to do than JT who seem to have plenty of time to spread misinformation.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
BREAKING NEWS:
possible links between school shootings have been uncovered by dynamic laywer jack thompson, studies show that most school shooting are carried out by carbon based life forms, a significant contributing facotr as 100% of cases show this pattern.
It is high time we banned carbon from the periodic table to protect our children.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Wait. didn’t they disprove the cho connection to counter strike at VT?
Jack you are an idiot.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
What the fuck is a “campus shooting expert?” Isn’t there a law against using false titles?
At least he was anointed a ‘video game expert’.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
the only thing i find funny on this whole thing is they are calling Jack a “Campus Shooter Expert” because, you know, Fox news believe’s EVERYTHING that spews from his mouth. So just because JT shows up spewing out filth that “Video Games killed EVERYONE!!11!1! ZOMFG!!!” makes him an expert in this stuff?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Jack Thompson is an attention woe. Plain and simple.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Was there any mention of “Campus Shooting Expert” Jack Thompson being totally wrong about Virgina Tech according to the official report?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
His legal career is falling apart, and he needs to develop himself as enough of a personality that he can get another publishing deal. That’s all this is.
As for Fox News, they aren’t a news source. They’re a medium for mass manipulation, an arm of the Republican party. I honestly believe it’s misleading for them to even refer to themselves as “Fox News.” They don’t distribute news. They distribute “opinion” in exchange for compensation from conservatives.
Jack Thompson is a soon-to-be-disbarred attorney, grasping for any piece of publicity he can get, and he appeared on a “news” outlet that has less credibility than The Onion. I really don’t see why anyone cares. There are more important things to be worried about than a has-been spouting lies on a fake news station.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
That cuckoo again? And who the hell refers to him as a campus shooting expert?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
@ JT
I thought the reason we weren’t on Fox news was because we’re all well adjusted folks who don’t go conclusion hopping and wait for more information. So yeah, hooah to you, sir. Me, I’ll be waiting for the facts.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Knucklehead? Really, Mr. T. Couldn’t you be more creative? That’s more of a term of endearment nowadays.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
“Hey, there was a reason I was on Fox and none of you knuckleheads were: I know what I’m talking about and you all don’t. Hooah!”
Just like Cooper Lawrence! Hooah!
February 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Jack Thompson “make more proficient”.
Yay.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
“Hey, there was a reason I was on Fox and none of you knuckleheads were: I know what I’m talking about and you all don’t. Hooah!”
Cooper Lawrence was also on Fox News, and that didn’t stop her from being completely wrong and misinformed now did it?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
“Rehearse these type of massacres on simulations called video games”
Anyone else said “fuck you” out loud when you heard that?
Oh and…
@ Chris
Make that into a law. It has a very, very good chance to be passed since it says “protect our children”
February 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Actually, John Bruce, there are two REAL reasons I’m not on FOX News:
(1) I don’t mentally molest the families, individuals, and communities that suffer such tragedies just push my personal, religious, and/or political beliefs.
(2) Like leads to like. FOX News advocates lying to and deceiving it’s audience, even having won a law suit to defend the right to do so. And that Demon-Pretender-To-The-Throne-Of-Heaven that you worship advocates lying and deceiving to force your personal, religious, and/or political beliefs upon others. So, no, it’s not a surprise.
And even if that poster wasn’t the real John Bruce, these facts remain true.
Nightwng2000
NW2K software
February 15th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Maybe I’m crazy. But I thought there was more wars and killings, or at least the same out before video games,computer, or tv was around. Heck before guns where around.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Speaking as someone who actually has a chemical imbalance I think I can explain this to a degree.
People who have this particular issue, especially those with schizophrenia, often stop taking their meds for what is, in their minds, a legitimate issue. They start to think that since they’re better they don’t have to take the meds anymore. This leads to a rather vicious cycle of ups and downs and wildly erratic behaviour.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Virginia Tech was mentioned again…
“Simulaters, also called video games” WHAT THE F!@@$)!%$!#)@502
581%*)*%@!*%*@)%!$@**%@
*)!!!!!!!
Fox News+Jack Thompson=Very Very bad for Video games
I can’t stand Thompson, I have a headache now and trying to interpret his bull into english takes to much strain…
February 15th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
If that’s Jack, could I point out that the same case has been made to ban guns. They shouldn’t be available because there are crazy people out there.
Could I also point out that these killings were all done with guns. I don’t propose we repeal the second amendment.
IF, and that’s a big if, this person was influenced by video games, would you say he wouldn’t have committed this crime if he hadn’t played video games, yet still went off his medication and was in posession of the guns?
How many of these incidents has happened in the last 10 years? How many casulties of campus and school shooting have their been? Now, how many people died in drunk driving accidents? Wouldn’t you be better off fighting the Alcohol Industry to bring back the prohabition?
What percentage of the adult population will commit crimes BECAUSE they played a video game? Do you feel justified in stopping mentally stable adults from enjoying the medium since it MAY effect a minescule percentage of the population? Would that not also follow a ban of peanut products since they are harmful to a small percentage of the population?
What is your ideal outcome, your end game? If a judge said to you, ‘You win, what do you want?’, what would you ask for? Do you want all violent video games banned? Do you want stricter laws regarding the selling of these games? Given the option that whatever you asked for, no matter how outlandish would be granted, what would you ask for them to do? At that point, what would define a violent video game? PETA doesn’t like Mario jumping on turtles, teaches kids that it’s cool to kill animals. Same goes for Big Buck Hunter. Athiests may feel that Veggie Tales isn’t right for children. Who makes the call? Police Trainer (it’s an arcade game) has you shooting human shaped targets for high scores. Grand Turismo teaches unsafe driving habits and lack of responsibility when you crash.
I’m asking these questions to understand better.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I hope maybe everyone who made the “Mass Effect Appology” happen does the same with Fox and JT.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
***Had to fix it it got messed up***
Maybe I’m crazy. But I thought there was more wars and killings, or at least the same amount before video games,computer, or tv was around. Heck even before guns where around. Jack needs to shutup. He’s part of the problem, the problem being no one taking responsibility for what they do. THE VIDEO GAMES MADE ME KILL THEM!
Freaking idiot.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
1) i thought Thompson was still banned from GP for exessive asshattery.
2) if he isn’t, he needs to be.
2.1) if he is, the JT copycat also needs to be.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
@FlashnFuse
do you watch glen beck FlashnFuse?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Jack Thompson you horrid son of a b**ch…
February 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
After watching that video, I have only one thing to say:
Ow! My Brain!
February 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
[…] Link […]
February 15th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Johnny Bruce Thompson and Fox News should get married.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
@gs2005, two ignorami don’t make a non-ignorami
February 15th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Sorry I’m late anyway.
@Thompson: Tell me to my face, someone who was on campus, along with those in that auditorium and the families of the victims that video games were the cause. Crusader my ass your just like the rest of the news media you don’t give a shit about those who were injured or died. You don’t care about how students like me were scared and desperatley trying to contact our families’. You don’t care that some of those shot had to be airlifted all the way to Rockford for treatment.
I can say this Thompson because I along with 25,000 others was at NIU. I can guarantee you this nobody at the time thought that video games caused it
If you go to NIU to further your cause I will be there with every one else I can get to help me to make sure it goes nowhere.
@Everyone else
Anybody got his contact information? If so I plan to forward it and this story to every student currently enrolled at NIU.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Jack Thompson, you are getting boring now. Why not start saying something like “Video games started biological terrorism” or something like that to mix things up.
And last time I check, Fox News doesn’t put experts on their show. They put on anyone with something controversial. We know that Fox news is extremely bias towards video games (and democrats).
February 15th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
“Actually, Cho trained on Counterstrike, as the Washington Post reported.” –Thompson
No Thompson. Here’s what the Washington Post reported:
“Several Korean youths who knew Cho Seung Hui from his high school days said he was a fan of violent video games, particularly Counterstrike, a hugely popular online game published by Microsoft, in which players join terrorism or counterterrorism groups and try to shoot each other using all types of guns.”
Oh, and you might want to spell-check your username.
Andrew Eisen
February 15th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
:-S
I can’t believe there are so many people lapping up this crap.
Of course, they are the type that watches Faux News in the first place, and are already lost completely.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
oh christ here we go. only Faux News are the ones stupid enough to put this guy on the air. Now, if you dont mind, I’m watching Studio B. Shepard isnt here again.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Attonrey?
Fox News is giving air time to someone who can’t even spell his own job right … Shame, shame…
Right now, let’s think a bit more about the victims and less about those who are simply a waste of time.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
@Mark of Cain
Just how close to the actual shooting were you when it transpired? Seriously, thats frightening if one of the readers here was that close. Also, how can I contact you regarding your query?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Christ almighty… do I even need to say anything? Damn JT to hell, he uses every tragic shooting just to promote himself as a expert at the expense of others.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Ok, he is going to tell us that, because fox, put him on tv he knows more than us? you know, a channel famous for temptation island, Family and countless other trashy shows they toss at their audience.
ps. not saying family guy is trashy, but it’s funny to equate thompson with that show.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Tell you what, everybody: since Thompson appears to be so religious, let’s put a challenge to him. We’ll point out how much carnage and decadence there is in the bible, and how many lives have been destroyed throughout history in the name of god or allah, and then compare all that to the amount of death and destruction displayed via video games…
Then we will assure him that, as soon as you’ve burned down every church, mosque, and synagogue - and have sued every publisher until they cease printing the bible and the Koran - THEN, and only then, will we put down our controllers.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
btw, Jack, how about you give the real reason you stick to Fox News now - not because you know what you’re talking about, as anyone can run your arguments to the ground, but because they WERE by Chris MAtthews on a much better news organization. Seriously, Fox is the only place willing to let you spew your Coulteresqu hatred, so man up and admit it.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
@Rukon Zappa
Like a few thousand others I was on the other side of campus but less than a ten minute walk away.
If anyone does have Thompsons’ contact information please feel free to e-mail it to me at [edited]
EZK: You don’t need it.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I’m glad (and surprised) to see fox news mention the medication stuff. I’ve been saying that for years. Every school shooter since columbine has had various problems with anti-depressants. Yet, it always takes back seat to video games, I never understood this. It seems to be the common link.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Jack thompson is the posterboy for idiocy and arrogance. People that commit these kinds of massacres don’t have anything wrong with them.
it’s the simple fact that videogames have not been found to cause this problem, but jack thompson just loves skewing the research.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I lol’d so hard the second he said “Violent video games” for some reason.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
i dont care to watch the video again, since ive already filled up my daily quota of eye-twitching, but i believe jacko was saying in the beginning that “you’ll find in these types of situations that there is a connection to violent video games”, or something to that effect. so i dont think hes jumping the gun here, but playing it safe in not making any assumptions about the guy’s game playing habits. still, why on earth does he have to bring it up? hes like a deranged, old, broken record here. im not a violent person, but if theres one man id like to pay a hitman to get, its him.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
If that was actually Jack Thompson up there, shouldn’t he have at least been able to spell his profession correctly? “Attonrey”?
Hey, maybe I’m just nitpicking, but come on. How do you expect us to take you *cough* seriously *cough* when you can’t even spell what you supposedly do correctly?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
It was only a matter of time before he followed another tragedy. I really wish he did something new for a change. Switch up the pattern a bit.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Just an FYI, I was just watching Fox News, and the governor of Illinois was quick to jump to blaming games. In fact, he cited TV and movies as well, but places most of his disgust on “violent video games.”
Given that no gaming link has been shown in this case, the quick jump to blame games is reprehensible. In fact, even if Kazmierczak was a gamer, the fact that he required medication and did not take that medicine should be more than sufficient to make this case an outlier, and not the result of the games (if games can even influence behavior).
February 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
A-… Ha-… Wh-… *facepalm*
February 15th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
sorry for the double post, but is there any info out on what type of meds he was supposed to be taking, and for what mental illness? and maybe some background info on the guy?
February 15th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
this is pretty bad. he gets to baseless claims against this guy and repeat his old lies about Vtech on Fox News. this is probably the first thing Fox viewers have heard about games at all since getting their fill with the Mass Effect story.
the way the media portrays constantly needs to move past the stereotypes they are so fond of.
*side note*
EA should really sue Fox for slander over the Mass Effect story. Make an example that spreading lies on national television about games is not ok.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Jack Thompson: I wish I weren’t here.
Fox News: Us too.
Truer words have never been spoken.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
@Mark Methenitis
Blago is now an additional target of my little project.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
@J_Sensei: ESPECIALLY on Fox News.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
How about a letter writing campaign to Fox News(and any other MSM source) for so frequently presenting misinformation on video games? I think the MSM is the real enemy in this sense. They knew exactly what he was going to say before they even asked him to speak. I’m pretty convinced they are the puppet master. At the very least they are the enablers.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
“Campus Shooting Expert”? How the hell does one become an expert of this? Do you have to go out and shoot in a campus building or what? Did JT do that in order to become a “Campus Shooting Expert”?
And @JT
So is what your telling me was that before Vidja Games, that were no such things as shooting in places of learnings, or war, or violence. Wow, I think we need to stop spreading those lies! The children think of the children!
/sarcasm.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I soon as heard about this this morning, i knew they were going to blame this on video games.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
governor blagobitch for the record has been known to be anti-video game here for quite a while - he tried, and failed, to pass legislation a couple years ago, lost, and had to have the taxpayers fork over a lot of money to cover the legal fees as well as compensation for the defendants.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
To coin a phrase from someone here at GP.com…
[/headdesk]
February 15th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Blagojevich has got no room to talk. Especially since his law failed and he still owes money for the legal fees.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
@ Canary Wundaboy
Let me join you, together on 3. 1.2.3 [/headdesk]
February 15th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
@Jack
So you admit that some people are just messed up in the head.
In the same breath, you want us to censor ALL MEDIA that could be copy-catted just so the mentally ill don’t have something to mimic?
Who is to say that they won’t just go on a random shooting spree anyhow?
You have said before that you just want to keep violent games out of the hands of kids - this man, messed up as he was, was 27 years old. Not a kid.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
“That train’s never late.”
Problem is, you have to shoot people to make it appear.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Ah I get it! In face of disbarrment he has adjusted his job title to “Attonrey”
Maybe Faux News won’t notice.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Did he really say that? Exact quote please since I’m guessing his post was almost immediately deleted. If that’s true, then he’s pretty much admitted that’s what he wants all along. I never thought that’d be his ultimate goal, but there you are.
Genius, man. Just pure fucking genius.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
@J_Sensei
I know right I hope someone takes the first few sentences from this video and makes a montage of “Jack Thompson Greatest Moments”.
This was such a horrible occurrance and the reason jack went for it so quickly is to get his face back out there before a verdict is given. Jack I agree that violent video games shouldn’t be sold to children and a lot of other people do to. So stop blaming people and try to spread knowledge of the rating system around to do some help.
We all need to make Jack see that he is creating a lot more harm than good.
Jazz
February 15th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
JT, A: Do us a favor, just go home. Your tactics need to be rethought. Jumping at every opportunity that presents itself is wrong. Getting angry and embarrassing yourself in front of people will only make your image worse than it already is (If that’s possible). At this rate, you will never win. But, then again you never dictate what your desired end condition and what you are to do afterwards because you never read On War.
It is my personal opinion that Jack Thompson will never be satisfied until Video Games gets its own Hayes Code. For those not familiar with this term, The Hayes Code or the Production Code was that thing that forced Hollywood to control the content of Movies from the 1930’s to the 1960’s. In short, that code stipulated that anything that was deemed inappropriate could not be put into movies, which included among other things, graphic violence, vulgar language and any physical expression of affection. This was the thing that created the Dick Van Dyke Showism of a couple sleeping in separate beds onscreen.
A Code like that for Video Games would give JT, A what he wants: No Violent Games. But a code like that would also give precedent for what all gamers want: The admission that Video Games are Art. Combine that with the fact that both the Hayes Code and the Comicbook Code followed the same pattern: People follow it for a while, then get bored/sick of it and either Abolish it(Hayes) or ignore it outright (Comic code). A Video Game would follow that same pattern (And Foreign game developers would still make violent games) so even if JT, A got what he wanted, We’d still win.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I’m just about ready to break my monitor after seeing that….how could Faux News let HIM get air time? They know who he is…
February 15th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
btw, to all those who may be interedted, Jack has been harassing people and showing his Coulteresque hatred of anyone and anything he disagrees with on another blog site now too:
http://justicebuilding.blogspot.com/
Feel free to call out and mock him there too.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I got about 15 seconds into that video before I had to shut it off. Just the sound of his voice makes me cringe in disgust.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Jason Della Rocca didn’t call Thompson a massacre chaser for nothin’. I mean, Thomson seems to be on TV when stuff like this happens and he always brags about his involvement in the James v. Meow Media Inc case. I believe he’s always bringing that up so he can make his move.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I can not believe this! When I heard about the school shooting I would keep saying like “You hear that? Jack Thompson is coming to town.” I guess it is true.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
He can’t even wait until the bodies are cold and have been properly examined before throwing his BS theories out there on a whim. It makes the blood boil to think that he is still allowed to practice. It blows my mind knowing that when he is disbarred, fox news will refer to him as an ex-attorney instead of a disbarred massacre chaser that should spend the rest of his life contemplating the concept of using the tragedy of others for his personal gain. He can blow smoke all day long, but no one who is trying to better this world goes on television and says “I told you so”. A self serving prick trying to sell more books, and try to advance his own agenda would do that.
How could a family possibly understand his Paul Revere BS when he’s using their dead as a horse and pony show to further his own agenda? Personally, if I was on that end, I’d be looking for every trick in the book to ensure that Mr. Thompson could never voice the name of a related victim. My sympathies to those who lost a loved one, and I hope that the result from the investigations is a positive change, least we fall into a morass of blame and BS Mr. Thompson do desperately wants.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I wonder if the Florida Bar can take this recent transgression into consideration along with their current investigation…more wood for the fire.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
@ Black Manta
Might have been a troll(which I frequently assume such posts are until confirmed), but it is right in the sense Jack “Massacre Chaser” Thompson has been making such hypocritical “I’m not for censorship/I WANT IT ALL CENSORED!” comments for a while….
Look at his history, attacking music industry, attacking the TV/movie industry, radio shock jocks, and it is the same old thing with video games.
He wants actually censorship, wants all games he doesn’t like banned for EVERYONE, and he tries to fool people by throwing out a “I’m not for censorship, I’m doing this to protecting the children” excuse from time to time.
And we all know how he loves to avoid or ignore the other, more likely, factors into such horrific events….
February 15th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I can’t believe he’s still saying that the VT shooter trained on “Counter Strike: Half-Life,” a game that doesn’t even exist.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
@ Rukon Zappa
Feel free to call out and mock him there too.
I would recommend people do NOT do that.
Looks like the legal community is already doing a good job of it(telling him to get a blog, asking where the heck he gets all the time for this and press-releases, his stupid bar hearing”tactics,” etc), last we need is some more immature comments reflecting badly on us gamers.
Lets leave it to the professionals and Jack to dig his own grave on that site.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I’m sure it has already been said, but still, damn, JBT is a sick, twisted excuse of a human being. There are REAL wars, REAL crime, REAL homelessness, REAL drug abuse, REAL abuse in the home, and all this filthy snake cares about is a harmless form of NON-REAL recreation? It makes me physically ill.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
AHHHHHHHHhhhhhh for the love of christ! Jack Thompson WILL NOT STOP BEING A MEDIA HOG!……He needs to go home to his husband and stop hogging the media with all of this “HE HAD A PLAYSTATION THAT WAS BROKEN IN HIS DORM ROOM SO LET”S BLAME VIDEO GAMES”
This dude makes me Angry.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Bless.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Its funny that below Jack Thompson it says “school shooting expert.”
February 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Jack Thompson makes a good case for banning… himself.
Just think of all the crazy people out there who hear him blaming video games who might think they can get away with murder if only they play the games-made-me-do-it card. He’s practically telling them it’s okay to kill people because it’s the games’ fault, not theirs. And by repeatedly bringing up previous shooters, he’s pretty much ensuring future psychos that they can be (in)famous too.
So, yea, if he thinks it’s okay to censor games because they might inspire some nutjob to shoot someone, then he should have no problem being censored himself for the same reason. Think of the children!1!11
February 15th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Jack needs a new job, because he’s horribly under-qualified as a shooting expert.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Ban violent bible passages NOW!!!
February 15th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
is jack a psych can he “offically” say that this shooting is caused by videogames.
if he can predict that can he predict the next president?
February 15th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I am allowing Miami Jack to comment in this thread today since it has generated a good bit of controversy.
Please be civil to ol’ JT… And if he starts with the legal threats again, he’ll once again be a non-presence.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
@Jack Thompson, Attonrey
Thompson, I’ve been playing video games since the days of the Commodore 64, I am a terrible shot with a rifle, much less a pistol, and can’t even handle raw meat without feeing sick.
Also, the Washington post retracted that statement and apologized as it was false. Deny it all you want. And yes people have detached, on numerous occasions, video games from those events.
Like I said, keep denying it, it won’t make you right.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
OMG, this guy is so messed up. Every time I find something new about “Wacko-Jacko”, “Hot Coffee”, whatever you want to call him, I e-mail my friends about this guy. I honestly think Adam Sessler did all of our criticisms about him absolute JUSTICE on that G4 vid.
Bravo, Mr. Sessler. BRAVO. And Bravo to you, too, JACK-ie Chan (note the references), for another STELLAR (sarcasm, duh) performance.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Why am I not surprised?!?!
February 15th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Dennis, I must say I feel we should only be civil with Mr Thompson to the degree that we shouldn’t just pour profanity all over the page. Aside from that, the gloves should be off. Mr Thompson should, at best, be treated as a prosecutor would treat a hostile witness. He has proven time and again that he has no regard for the facts. He says on Fox that he only wants children blocked from mature rated games, then he comes here and makes his opinion clear that he’s all for censorship of video games. He uses insults and name calling and cannot prove his point. To those here who are taking a semi-hostile but fact based approach to Mr Thompson’s laborious and annoyingly false claims here, keep up the good work.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
“Hey, there was a reason I was on Fox and none of you knuckleheads were: I know what I’m talking about and you all don’t.”
Actually, I’m not on Fox news because I don’t puff myself up to look important, and I don’t WANT to be on any “news” network that would have a liar like you on their cameras.
And you do realize they ONLY have you on to grab them a few more ratings, not because they respect you or think you’re right.
And, WE don’t know what we’re talking about? Name the last five video games you sat down and played, with your family or otherwise, not banned or talked about, just played.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
@Jack Thompson, Attorney
Hi. I’m the one who you told to kill himself. Just to let you know, I’m doing fantastic as ever and I have long since ignored your advice.
In any case, I have yet to hear anything in terms of gamers who play violent games and end up shooting up schools. In fact, no such connection was ever truly established. I’ve played games that would make Halo look like a Saturday morning cartoon and yet I have never held the desire to shoot up a school or rampage through the streets. But really I have one thing.
How dare you abuse your power of attorney and faith in God to slander a medium you have no right commenting on, and how dare you use a tragedy like a school shooting to advance your personal agenda.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
@Jack Thompson, Attorney
Also, Thompson, a very good point was made on our forums.
You DIDN’T predict Columbine. I’ll repeat it. You DID NOT predict Columbine.
If you had, you would have said where it was taking place and tried to stop it. And if you had, then you kept silent so it would still happen and you could ash in on it.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Jackie boy is probably also hoping that the victims’ families will see the report and hire him to help them get some legal revenge and what not.
Honestly, my own father is a litigator, and he’s actually been reading about Jack Thompson. He calls him, in his own words, “a dingbat” and “seriously disturbed”.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
“Of course this shooter had something wrong with him. All of them do. It is precisely because there are dangerous people out there that we should not be dispersing into the general population murder simulators to train them to massacre.”
By that logic I can make this statement
It is precisely because there are dangerous people out there that we should not be dispersing knives into the general population which the killers can use to stab and murder. (sad to say though, that certain parts of Britain are using this logic).
Or even.
Gangster movies, and documentaries on sucessful criminals or unsolved murders should not be distributed to the general public because a crazy individual could study those tapes and use them to formulate his plan.
And finally
Paintball guns can be used to train murder sprees by insane people etc.
The thing is though that the vast majority of the population aren’t insane individuals and only a few people can’t handle violent video games (and that’s assuming they were influenced by violent games in the first place).
“Hey, there was a reason I was on Fox and none of you knuckleheads were: I know what I’m talking about and you all don’t. Hooah!”
You claim to be an expert, we don’t. You seek attention, we don’t. That’s why.
Oh and if we want to boast about being on a biased news source, Bogost (I think) was on the Colbert Report, you were not (Sorry couldn’t help it).
Oh and everyone criticizing Jack over the typo; please be quiet as the number of times people have requested an edit button has just recently passed 5000.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
@CrippleHawk
“Why am I not surprised?!?!”
The question is, why would anyone who knows and hates JT be surprised?
February 15th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Chrislovespills = BANNED.
Be civil, people. I kid you not.
-GP
February 15th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
What did this Chrislovespills guy said before he was banned?
@kurisu7885
Was it my post that you mentioned?
February 15th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
@Jack Thompson Attonrey
“Nope, it is I. Actually, Cho trained on Counterstrike, as the Washington Post reported. You all can try to repeal that fact, but you can’t. Nobody has even TRIED to disconnect violent games from Columbine, Erfurt, Red Lake, Ft. Myers, and about 40 other school shootings.
I’m right, you’re not, and that ’s why Fox continues to call on my expertise. Hooah! ”
Fox also called on the expertise of cooper lawrence, and we all know how that ended up? don’t we?
Mr. Thompson, I have a question for you. Do guns kill people…or do people kill people?
I’m going to assume your not to crazy, so you would probably say people kill people, not guns. After all I don’t think any of us have seen a gun get up and walk and pull the trigger its self. And it would be crazy to blame the gun for anything at all during a shooting. After all, the gun can’t do anything.
That leads me to my next question.
Do video games kill people, or do people kill people?
February 15th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
@Pierre-Olivier
“What did this Chrislovespills guy said before he was banned?”
Good question.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
@Pierre-Olivier
“What did this Chrislovespills guy said before he was banned?”
Good question.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Oops. Excuse double post.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Since I don’t see Chrislovespills’ post, I think I can assume it was some kind of death threat (which are a big no-no).
GP: Wasn’t a death threat, it was something about bitch-slapping. Either way, we are just NOT going to have it on here.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Meh, true that.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I was saying to my wife just this morning that JT would be all over this one. I hate being right.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Huh. Way to call it, then. And yes, sometimes being right can be a real pain-in-the-arse.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
@Pierre-Olivier
Likely, and it is true, he didn’t predict Columbine because if he did he would have been more specific, and if he did it was basically a cover up
February 15th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
@kurisu7885
If it was a cover up, I’ll bet five bucks it took one heck of a lot of self-restraint to NOT get on the news and say “up yours, b**ches! I KNEW this was gonna happen!” and random B.S.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
jacko,
first, how’s that jackandgoliath.com website coming? You know, the one you said you were working on, what a year and a half ago?
Second, let’s say that yes, this guy was playing GTA and Counter-Strike 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Why do you care? What does this crime have to do with your crusade against selling and marketing violent games to minors? You have said time and time again that you don’t want to ban these games only ban the sale of them to minors. This guy was 27. The first GTA game came out in 1998 when he was 17. Are you saying that playing these games (and the first GTA, not even your much hated GTA3) for a year, when you are 17 will drive you crazy a decade later? It seems like either that or you do want to ban the sale of these games to people over 18.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Jack clings to the Cho/Counter-Strike bullshit like a baby clings to it’s mother.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
@Aaron
Surely thou truly art a son of Levi and the brother of Moses for those words, for none shalt findeth words more true than they!
February 15th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
My questions to Jack Thompson
1.) Why did’nt you publise or discuss your apearance on the Headline News segment in witch you debated with N’Gai Croal about the release of Manhunt 2? This was a few days before the Moral Kombat discussion panel that N’Gai Croal moderated.
2.) What do you really think about think about how Cooper Lawence’s last minute research? Also, what do you think about that aneroxia expert’s last minute research that one day(refering to your appearance on “Mike and Juliet” about the Halo 3 in church)? I know you alredy responded to the whole Cooper thing on Kotaku, but you were on Fox News a couple of times today and I want your opinon on how Fox News (and Mike and Juliet) policy on giving people very little information about topics they know little about.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
basiclly JT wants to banned “everything that has violence” in it, movies, books, tv show programs that start at 8pm at night while kids are still awake.
even news media report police chases, gun fires more often between the hours kids are going home from shcool.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
@MR.B
Concerning his vendetta’s involvement in Manhunt 2, I heard he sent a letter to Wendy’s, that fast-food place, because their Kids’ Meals were going to have Wii toys inside. I mean, honestly! Why do that, when it’s for KIDS!!! KIDS, Mr. Thompson!
February 15th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
@Jack
“Actually, Cho trained on Counterstrike, as the Washington Post reported. You all can try to repeal that fact,”
We don’t have to repeal that fact, the Washington Post already repealed it. And I see you still haven’t read the Virginia Tech report, or you wouldn’t be as ill informed on VT and Cho as you obviously are.
“Nobody has even TRIED to disconnect violent games from Columbine, Erfurt, Red Lake, Ft. Myers, and about 40 other school shootings.”
You don’t have to disconnect something that is not connected. The reasons why these tragedies happen are MUCH more complex than you try to boil them down to. Of course the failures of the psychological medical field in this country won’t line your wallet like a “soft target” as the video game indsustry now will it?
“I’m right, you’re not, and that ’s why Fox continues to call on my expertise. Hooah!”
What is your opinion court case in which Fox News won that grants them the right to lie to their viewers?
February 15th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
@Shadow Darkman
I knew this already. The reason why I asked why he did’nt publise his TV apearance because it is highly odd for him NOT to post his TV apearances on game politics.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Furthermore Jack you are directly responsible for these events, as your little dog and pony show is taking attention from the true issues that need to be addressed.
Of course you predicted Columbine, you CAUSED Columbine.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
@MR.B
Ah, my apologies. Either way, you do have a point.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
@Erik
I don’t think jt will be posting here anymore to day lol
But I think its a little to much to say he caused columbine, unless I’m missing something.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
@Smoking Gun
Not at all. He is trying to give everyone an easy fix by attacking a soft target. While everyone’s attention is misdirected by Jack and his ilk, more children and young adults are slipping through the cracks. People are suffering and Jack is focusing on fucking video games. Jack has blood on his hands.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Lets not forget that he critized Cooper Lawence for not having the facts. Her and the eating disorder expert (Halo 3 in church) did not know that they were going to discuss violence in video games until the last minute. I guess he supports Fox using fake experts and later attacking them. He better be carefull that he does not bite the hand that feed him. If word of him attacking Cooper like that gets back to Fox News, he could be in deep shit with Fox.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
ROFL I remember that! Ten bucks says they already know.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Not so much Paul Revere as Chicken Little….
February 15th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
@ Erik
Yes you have a very good point. Although my point was I would not say he caused it. He contributes to it because of what he does. But he did not cause it. Thats all I’m saying. Cause is a very strong word here.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
@Void Munashii
More like The Boy Who Cried Wolf, except without the wolf.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
To Jack Thompson, the incredible idiot.
You have time and time again boasted about you showing up on Fox tv.
You have time and time again boasted about that being a success for you, and proof that you have a point (which you do not).
Yet you fail to realise.. Fox also did the Mass Effect tripe. And guess what, SHE didn’t know shit of what she was talking about either.
And not just her. In fact, looking back, Fox has failed practically every time in getting QUALIFIED, objective experts onto their show. So they have to pander to agenda-pushing mongrels like you.
At least the girl who did the Mass Effect Fuckup realised she was WRONG!
Sincerely
The airsoft-gun experienced, doom-playing splatter-game veteran Jes, who has yet to actually physically attack and hurt someone IRL, much less WANT TO!
PS.
“Hei Gaize, I prediktud Kolombein 2!!! I zed a shuutin vuld take plaez zumvear, i wuz ritt den zo naow i muzd b alwaiz ritt!!!”
February 15th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
“When you have these people er um I ah…..errr…..uh….I WROTE A BOOK!”
lolz
It’s amazing all the things he has been told over and over again, the things which have been found by investigations that he chooses to ignore. The way in which he is able to cherry-pick which information is applicable is amazing.
Cho played Sonic the Hedgehog when younger, not Counterstrike.
You CANNOT become more proficient at firing a gun with a mouse + keyboard/controller. It takes experience and training with firing a real one, as all of the school shooters had.
The “brain scans from Harvard” he loves to trot out are correlational information. For all we know, playing basketball or the guitar produces the same brain activity.
To agree with his initial statement, I wish he wasn’t there either. I’m sure many of the injured victims and families of victims are just as disgusted as I am that this tragedy is being mined for air-time and a book plug by a has been attorney.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Wow, isn’t it typical that the day he gets approval to speak in the forums he runs off like the massacre chasing coward he is and doesn’t answer a single question to him here?
February 15th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
@-Jes-
That PostScript was beautiful. Now, don’t get me wrong, that was a mere compliment. LOL
Aaaaaaaaaaaanyway, I personally want to see these “brain scans from Harvard” he keeps railing on about. Anyone want to ask him? I have his e-mail on hand, and I’m not afraid to dish it out to anyone who ONLY wants to ask for the scans.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
All I can say is that Jack Thompson is a sick human being. The first sentence out of his mouth in that interview is blaming violent video games. It’s shameful, inconsiderate, ignorant, and opportunistic. Five innocent students are dead thanks to a nutjob who didn’t want to take his medication… and all Thompson can think of is how he can attack games using this murder as his ammunition.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Jack, Jack, Jack,
I can’t believe I actually believed you learned logic following your comments on Mass Effect.
Febr