This Picture is NOT an April Fool's Joke...
This Picture is NOT an April Fool's Joke...
April 1, 2008
...although you might think it is.The truth is that this picture, caption included, ran - where else? - on Fox News last Thursday.
Jack Thompson, last seen on Fox as a "school shooting expert" has apparently morphed into the network's "First Amendment Attorney."
Perhaps having a U.S. District Court judge tear apart the Louisiana video game law he wrote on First Amendment grounds somehow qualifies him, in Fox's view.
Or, maybe it was the way he tried to suppress - via baseless legal threats - GamePolitics' recent coverage of his professional misconduct trial by the Florida Bar.
In any case, Thompson was on Fox to discuss a non-game related issue when the comic caption aired.
Comments
What about just pointing at them while they bludgeon themselves with it?
2) on Fox this morning, Bill O'Reilly spoke for "all white Americans" glorifying intolerance of black people. sickening.
Yeah it might seem that way on the wacko internet on a wacko liberal internet political blog, but in the real world - you know the world that doesn't try to demonize Fox news every day and where people don't falsely associate wacko's like Jack with them - no not really.
Just the fact that GP claims that jack is "the network's first amendment attorney" is horrible. They know he doesn't work for Fox yet they try to paint him that way in order to push their wack liberal agenda.
I would not be surprised if he was.
Then he becomes a "First amendment Expert"
It's FAUX News, not FOX News.
I'm now indeed curious as to what his tag-line will be after he is disbarred.
Probably something with "expert" instead of attorney, since that's not entirely true anymore after that, not that that would stop Fox.
Besides, it doesn't say if he attorneys for or against the First. "Bear Expert" includes a person who's an expert at killing bears as much as rescuing them.
GP: yeah, sorry about that. Looks like Fox moved it...
I would love to get Fox here in the UK. Sounds bloody brilliant.
We used to have 'Not the 9 0'clock News', this sounds about the same.
Do people over there actually consider that station news for real ?
or is it the tv equivilant of the National Enquirer ?
'Shock News : JT is first Amendment Lawyer, and Elvis is his love child reincarnated as Take Two exec'
When is he getting his license revoked? Isn't it. like, next week?
How can he be billed as an attorney when he won't be one in less than a month? Not that he was much of an attorney to begin with, but still...
He's just fighting to protect his own first amendment rights.
For those who don't care to watch, basically the mayor of some city in Florida says there are too many American flags flying on some street, and they're not there for patriotic purposes, but for advertisement purposes. While the mayor hasn't done anything YET, they're thinking about making a law or statue or something to lessen the number of flags flying.
Jack basically was there to say that there's no reason to force people to take flags down, no matter what the purpose for their flying it. He goes on to say he might be at the next City Council meeting with a client. He'd better hope that meeting is before April 21.
But, based on his own comments during his Bar trial and a great many interviews, John Bruce is actually an "expert" in the "John Bruce 'Jack' Thompson First Amendment" which states he is free to speak whatever he wants, usually false statements, and everyone else must only speak what HE approves of. Everyone else must go to prison for opposing him.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Fox News is still trusted by an astoundingly large number of older people. The news program most trusted by younger people (and consequently gamers) is the Daily Show.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What he's doing is distorting this Amendment and I won't take it. Too many people have payed with their lives for his freedom and he's distorting it. All I can say is no, no, NO!
Davcube also has a point. Why did you give into this dickwad's demands, Dennis as he chided you for not covering this story last week? You're only giving this ass the attention he wants.
GP: you miss the point, my friend. I have no interest in the his Fox appearance for its own sake. I just thought that the picture was priceless and a good feature for April 1st...
Thats not the American First Amendment but FOX's..
FOX's first amendment:
"Be proud and turn and bend news to your advantage regardless if its fact, videogames are thy enemy and must be smitten in every way possible"
So yeah, following that JT is labeled correctly
Jack Thompson, First Amendment Expert
The picture, with its ridiculous caption, is a classic. Thought it would make for a good larf on April 1st, especially since it is real.
I wouldn't call a long and storied history of complete and utter failed attemps to censor speech "expertise." Seems to me, on your track record, that you're "clueless" about the First Amendment.
Your complete and utter lack of respect for your rivals/competition destroys what very little credibility you have left in the last few days of your ending career.
As an offended, working, sane, respectable gamer (who loves violent games and absolutly oppose the selling of violent games to underaged customers) by your actions ; please save yourself and apologize to the bar for all the strains you have sinked it into to gain some time, really.
P.S.: With all due respect, I humbly ask you not to sue me for diffamation. I might be canadian, but the way I figure it, I can hide behind the First Amendment, LIKE FOX SEEMS TO BE GRANTING YOU.
Thank you, have a nice day, and quit please.
An angry red-headed secretary and gamer.
You're as much a First Amendment Expert as I am an astro physics expert. (That would be "not at all.")
Nice April Fool's post anyway there, pork chop.
A real First Amendment expert wouldn't promote legislation that is anti-First Amendment.
Practice what you preach: Grow up and get a life.
The Ol' Bill o' Rights has withstood attack from many like -- and better than -- you. Wanna bet it'll be around long after you're gone?
And that's Bill o' Rights. Not Bill O'Reilly. You do understand the difference, don't you, Jack?
Simple fact is, one day, WE will be the older crowd, and its current, non gaming, terrified of the 'Sexbox' demographic will be dead.
Fox news is already a joke among us, what will it be in 20 years?
Sad fact is, they're pandering to one demographic now, and in 20 years they're going to find they have no one watching them.
Can't wait
I doubt he understands that difference. I mean, holy crap that's a real post. Can anyone link to the vid? I wanna see this for myself.
Unfortunately, it's generational. There's a good chance that when you start to thin and grey, there'll be some new "whatever" that's a threat to the very fabric of American civilization and for which there'll be a "news" appetite which Fox will sastisfy.
Whether that was you or not, you are as much an "expert" in the First Amendment, school shootings, or even the law as Fred Phelps is an "expert" in sexuality.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
It's him. You can smell him when he enters a room. Kinda like fresh-laid bullshit toasting in the sun.
Aww Jack. ::pats head:: There, there now. You're just pissy 'cause Dennis exposed you for the vindictive asshole you are now, isn't it? Here, have a cookie. Now go back and sulk in your corner.
Except how do you know? Some kinda sixth sense that tells you it's the real McCoy? Man, that would be weird. Interesting ability. Can you sense when they're actually laying bullshit?
@nightwng
I literally just used that talking to someone, and I didn't even read the comment yet then XD Except I said "expert on gays," but it was with Fred Phelps
*Nekowolf crawls into a corner, dies, and implodes, just to get away from reality*
Oh, my God! Jack killed Nekowolf! THAT BASTARD!!!
How can you be an expert when laymen in this forum know more about first amendment rights than you do? Your supposedly constitutional bills on video game restrictions have all been shot down on first amendment grounds...
OH! I know! You're an expert because defeat is the best teacher in the world! That must be it. I get it now.
You look haggard, Jack. Are the conspirators wearing on you?
"OH! I know! You’re an expert because defeat is the best teacher in the world! That must be it. I get it now."
I don't know if I should laugh my ass off at this or be seriously confused. I think I'll laugh because it looks funny.
ROFFLMFAO!
Did you inform Fox about your recent hearings? Bet you never thought those emails or faxes would ever be seen in a courtroom.
Also, I'm sorry to say this, but your actions show you absolutely hate the first amendment.
I just had an evil thought. What if we put ol' JT in the same room as Keith Olberman?
Go get your kid, and have him show you how to remove the slashes in front of your quote marks when you post.
"If I'm no expert then you're no journalist Dennis! Nananana"
Even a 10-year old could realize that's childish. Would a 'real' attorney not distance himself from publications he doesn't want to be associated with? I just don't get it..
Your comment made me lawl.
If you are a first amendment attorney, then I am an Astroturf muffin.
As someone who has received an "Art Censor of the Year" award, the only thing you are an expert at with respect to the First Amendment is undermining it. You cannot just reinterpret it or ignore it when convenient.
Addendum:
After you get disbarred, are you going to be here more often? I mean, how else are you going to waste all that extra time you'll have when you can no longer waste it on lawyer-in-name-only activities?
Doesn't that seem like the complete opposite of what he usually says. Also since when was he a first amendment attorney? He suggested laws that been struck down by courts as 'unconstitutional'.
Jack Thompson shouldn't be in this news report. I don't even think he is trying to get media attention. I think he purely works for Fox News. I heard from game bloggers that if you meet Jack Thompson one-on-one, and don't talk about video games, he is a relativity nice person.
Remember, folks. The only free speech worth protecting is the kind you agree with. :P
Thompson forgot "professional massacre chaser" in his signature...
It's like the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. They put fake titles under the correspondents when they are talking, like "Senior Iraqi Expert" under Samantha Bee. The News stations do the exact same thing, only it isn't funny when they do it.
You're an expert at attempting to avoid keeping to the First Amendment, that's about it.
Jack Thompson: Fox News baby! Jack Thompson, your new video game expert, vitriolic mouthpiece, and first amendment..., er keeper awayer.
--Majeen "Hryuu"
And possession's nine-tenths of the law.
OK, since you're a First Amendment expert, answer me this question:
WITH SPECIFICITY how is the MA bill on video games constitutional? Don't forget the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments in your explanation.
Interesting of you to say that you are a first amendment expert, except that in each of your cases against the videogame industry, the defendants have always won against you due to thier defense of the first amendment. If your expertise was so good and valuable, why were you not able to dispute that in the courts?
Dennis, don't let him post here anymore. He has voided the right too many times to post here.
Or, better yet, how exactly the free speech and free exercise clauses of the First Amendment work as any sort of legitimate defense to the numerous and assorted misconduct with which the Florida Bar charges you?
Or should we just wait to have Judge Tunis explain it to us? Won't be long, now.
Yes, but remember, this is Jack "I'm Jesus and you're not" Thompson, all he sees is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...". Since he thinks what he is doing is a religious crusade then he is protected under freedom of religion. Of course he seems to forget how the 1st - 3rd Crusades turned out, and that they were less about religion and more about controlling a powerful trade route between Asia and Europe.
@Michael Schmahl
Yep, so not only is he on the list of top 10 censors, but he's also a client.
@Jack Thompson
Trying to suppress others ability of free speech via frivolous law suits, harassment, faxicide, and school yard insults doesn't make you an expert in any amendment, it just make you a jerk, in my opinion. By the way, when did you go to journalism school? I'd assume that you did since you like to criticize Dennis so much about it. However, since you seem to know nothing about it at all, my assumption is that you think it means he should cover you in a glowing light as the next Messiah, instead of telling the truth. You saying you are an expert in the 1st amendment is like saying David Duke is an expert in civil rights.
You claim many things Mr.Thompson, Violent games cause gamers to go nuts, everyone being out to get you, being a Christian, parent, and now you claim to be a First amendment Attorney. You do know that lying buys you a one way ticket to hell right?
Quick question though,
If you are so right about everything, why not back it up by citing your sources? or better yet, how about a debate with any of the GP posters here? Oh that's right, you're too much of a chickenshit.
My words are protected by the First Amendment, so stop right there if you think you can sue for defamation or libel.
May your son grow up to be nothing like you,
BANE XXIII
Minneapolis, Mn
P.S. I look forward to your disbarment.
if you know shit about shit regarding the first amendment, how come ALL your bills you authored were shot down on first amendment grounds.
Careful, now. You'll force Jack to trot out his stint as a NewsMax reporter (which proves he's also a journalism expert).
Ya ever read any of the biased, opinionated, self-promoting, poorly-written crap he used to contribute to that rag? Ha! Good stuff. You'd think he has writing editorials, not "news." Lots and lots and lots of hilarious stuff on the Elian Gonzalez case (before he fixaited on video games, he had a thing for Elian. And Kendall Coffey. And Fidel Castro. And Janet Reno. And, BTW, he managed to get himself in front of every last one of the 3,000 news cameras staked out in front of the infamous Elian House. While insisting that the American relatives decline to employ his legal services at their own risk -- a little Elian's, too. Musta been some First Amendment issues buried underneath all the immigration and family law issues.
Probably something he got from an episode of Law & Order.
Seriously, its not funny.
Admit its a prank...
Please?
:'(
There's a category here about him. How much closer do you want to a part of GP exclusive to JT?
@SounDemon
Good to see you again.
Just because FOX News says it doesn't make it true.
Food for thought: MSNBC and CNN no longer want to have you on their shows.
http://archive.newsmax.com/articles/?a=2000/6/14/103714
Which is why you're trying to get video games banned when they are protected by the First Amendment? Why you're threatening to sue this website when it exercises freedom of speech?
You wouldn't know the First Amendment if it walked up to you and slapped you up side your empty head.
I can't wait to see you lose your bar license. I'll be exercising my First Amendment rights by laughing my ass off at you and pointing out the fact that you deserved it.
Just read that article. Wow, he really does know nothing about journalism, infact i think he knows more about writing a biography that he knows about a news report. (FYI, showed an excerpt of his book to a teacher friend of mine, and she asked what grade level he was, when I told her that he was a lawyer, she just shook her head and sighed.)
I'd like to congratulate Jacky Boy on managing to be in front of a camera and not talk about video games. Definitely a step towards getting that monkey off his back.
Here it is, MR.B's second by second disection of the video from the Fox News website.
03:42 Host E.D. introduces John Bruce as a first admendment attorney and someone who is familiar with that road in the story.
03:22 John Bruce mentions that there is a strip club on that road called "Tootsies". Then he says, "There are thing going on in that would embarass Eliot Spitzer" (one day he's complimenting Eliot Spitzer, the next day he's slaming him).
03:15 He says that the city fathers should cover the strippers in "Tootsies" with American flags from the car dealership. My question is, is covering nudie dancers with American flags would be disrespectful of the American flag? His statement raises many questions.
03:08 to 03:03 What does being pratriotic have to do with invading Canada Jack?
02:05 "Let me explain the consitution to the city fathers," oh no, typical John Bruce rant up ahead.
01:38 to 01:20 (cue Fox News stock footage a American flags and various pratiotic images while John Bruce is talking about the US solders dying overseas)
01:05 to 00:54 John Bruce says, "And when government starts geting into the motivation of speech uh, and to regulate that and as to regulate speech itself and well you get gosteping bridgades that I think that everyone should aught to be concerned about". After review those nine seconds over and over, my jaw fell though the floor. That one statement completys underminds his crusade against the game biz for the past 15 so years. WOW, I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HE SAID THAT! Those nine seconds can possibly make a awesome Penny Arcade comic strip. I'm still in shock. (P.S. Thanks for posting this great story Dennis)
00:40 Jack says that he will be attending the next city commision meeting of Hollywood representing said auto dealer.
And if/once he loses that, he can call himself a Freedom Fighter, with the same type of meaning.
Freedom Fighter? He's trying to ban games under the delusion that he's trying to prevent school shootings! How the hell is he a Freedom Fighter?
Well, since Fidel Castro was a freedom fighter too, I guess that makes JT a communist wacko who oppresses anyone who speaks out agaisnt him.
Because its is so readily apparent that eliminating the sale of pornography to youths has so successfully dropped the rise of STI's and Teen pregnacy
its just common sense to apply the same approach to games to cause the elimination violence in youth.....
The fact that as videogames popularity had increased exponentionally since the early 90's violent crime in youth dropping in the same period is just the game lobbiest paying for the national census to allow them to peddle thier smut to our children..
Did you even read the whole post? He said Jack was a freedom fighter in the same context as a fire fighter. That is, someone who fights freedom.
Ha.. haha... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!
i think you have an extra "Un" in your handle.
"anti-First amendment Expert"
Yea as Jon Lovitz would put it, "Yea that's the ticket"
FLAME ON!!!!
Foxnews doesn't need demonized, they do a dandy job of that on their own. Were you aware that they won a court case that stated that they have the right to lie to their viewers?
Now scamper back to Conservepedia where you will feel safe amongst your self delusions.
It says First Amendment Attorney. It doesn't say 'for' or 'against'.
Perhaps a thesaurus would be in order?
I have personally given up on news stations (not just Fox News) when they start telling me how to think. They don't come right out and say "you should feel this way." It's how they present their news that concerns me. I don't always "watch" the news, but I keep it on as I listen. Several news stations (not all) indicate bias when reporting, but it takes a good ear more than a good eye to catch it.
I don't think GP is saying that Fox == Jack Thompson or at least trying to say it. Nevertheless, he makes appearances on Fox exclusively due to its right wing ideology. So while I agree with you that Fox News and Jack Thompson are separate, I do feel that they are separate problems in the public eye.
Many views expressed in these comments would be considered 'liberal.' I wouldn't go so far as to say 'wacko' for many of these articles or comments. There are also conservative views that, while I don't agree with them, are still quite cogent and well thought out. More importantly, they are respectful of the opinions of others, and I respect them in turn.
Needless to say, your attacks are less than respectful, and as such respect I am trying to give to you is quickly diminishing.
Pardon?? I've been reading GP for years, I'm pretty comfortable with the assertion that if GP has a "wack liberal agenda" they've done a poor job of communicating it, because I don't personally have any idea what that could be.
It's not like Dennis milks the site for donation money. True, I haven't always agreed with the things he says/reports, but that's natural. I swear at the nightly national news to.
So maybe you could illuminate what us as to what GP's wack liberal agenda is??? I see no reason not to take him at his word when says it's not content related and he just posted it for laughs. You have to admit, airing "first amendment attorney" underneath Jack Thompson is just asking for it. That's about three inches short of full-blown satire.
With that link you posted, I noticed this bit here:
[Members of Team Coffey have been libeling me all over Miami, claiming I am "insane," that I want to "make money," and that I am jealous because I am not the lead attorney...]
Again, insanity. It seems to come up wherever Mr. Thompson is mentioned.
How is it false? Did he force his way onto the network against their permission?
Just look at how they report the recent Chinese incident. They thought they know China better than Chinese, and I despise them.
Besides, there's only one joke here, and it ain't us. :P
I lol'ed at the part about the strip club. "There are things going on in there that would embarrass Eliot Spitzer?" Gee, how would he know that, hmm? ;)
I've long suspected a guy like Jack would have some major skeletons in his closet. People who go around making themselves to be so self-righteous like that usually do (to wit, Spitzer as well as Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart and Ted Haggard). Wouldn't surprise me if he partook of more than a few lap dances. Maybe his signature ought to be, "Jack Thompson, Miami Strip Club Patron" ;)
C'mon, Jack. There's no shame in that. Some of my friends in fact are strippers and porn stars! :)
Well they are correct, no-one trys to destroy the first amendments more than Jack...
I wish all the other channels would start inviting Dr. Mark Borinsky as a Second Amendment Expert...
But honestly if I worked at Fox *Shudders at the thought* I'd switch that to "Jack Thompson: Soon to be disbarred 'lawyer.'"
Yes, claims of "insane" have long followed Mr. Thompson.
Nor is his media-hogging and self-promotion anything new:
"I have been involved in a Spanish-language media blitz here in Miami since the June 1 order, appearing once with Donato Dalrymple and culminating Monday with my 30-minute appearance on Telemiami, the Miami Spanish television cable network. My articles and NewsMax.com coverage have been the main topic of discussion."
Your answer is today's date :)
the metaphor would be complete if you were an alcoholic
I actually decided to reply to you, and my reply is... "Yes I did."
Fox News.
Consequently the winner for the weakest excuse for 'journalism' award also goes to Fox News.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
I guess Jack must have some inkling of what the first amendment is, seeing as how he tries to suppress it every other day. In all seriousness, though, is it legal for them to represent Jack as a lawyer when his status as one is questionable?
@unbiased
Fine. Let's go to la la land and pretend for a moment that you're right. Then so what? It's the internet. The best thing about it is the freedom to spew whatever you wish. If we are such whack liberals, there's thousands upon thousands of other things you could be doing than wasting your time here. But you might simply be just a hit and run poster, so who cares anyway?
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