Jack Thompson: Florida Bar Will Look Like Bombed-out Building (figuratively speaking)

As GamePolitics readers know, controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson has been involved in a protracted legal struggle with the Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court.

The Bar, which placed Thompson on trial for allegations of professional misconduct in December, is pursuing discipline which could ultimately see Thompson stripped of his license to practice law.

The Florida Supreme Court, meanwhile, has grown weary of Thompson's many filings, which it terms abusive of the legal process. Based on a recent show cause order, it seems likely that the Supreme Court will soon refuse to accept anything submitted by Thompson. The Florida Supremes also have a hand in Thompson's troubles with the Bar. The Supreme Court, for example, appointed the referee, Judge Dava Tunis, who presided over Thompson's Bar trial and will soon issue a ruling on her findings.

That's the backstory. Late Tuesday afternoon, Thompson sent GamePolitics an e-mail which contained a new filing with the Florida Supreme Court. The document (MS Word) was CC:'d to numerous attorneys, Florida Bar officials, and even state prosecutors. For the most part, it was standard-issue Thompson bluster, but we took note of the final sentence:

Below is what The Florida Bar will look like if [the Florida Supreme] court acts affirmatively on its show cause order, figuratively speaking, of course:

The picture is that of a devastated building, possibly from World War II. Given Thompson's contentious history with the Bar, we found the sentiment expressed by the picture somewhat questionable, so we asked Thompson about it in a series of e-mails:

GP: ...if some kid sent you that picture and said that’s how your house would look, figuratively, of course, I gotta think you’d say it was a threat, no?

JT: You know what the word "figuratively" means, right?  Also, the notice was sent to the court sans the image.  that was to gig the bar governors getting it.  you have to have fun at times.

GP: Do you remember those kids a few years back who made that cartoonish instant message icon that had a big rock rolling over a little stick figure of you and you called the NYPD because you said it was threat? Weren’t they just having fun? What’s the difference?

JT: Dennis, I know you are challenged by life and by reasoning, but the pleading says "figuratively."  Check yourself into a mental health facility.

GP: So, do you really think that instant message icon [back in 2005] was really a threat? Do you think anyone will consider [your e-mail] relating the FL Bar office to a picture of a bombed-out building [a] threat?

JT: Uh, Dennis, I really think you have lost your mind.  I'm not posting threats anonymously.  If I had intended these people harm, I would have done that quite sometime ago.  The notice to the court was sans the picture.  Get a grip, Dennis.  You're so intent on destroying me that you have lost it.  You understand what "figuratively" means, or don't you?  Stop bothering me.

GP: What do you suppose would happen to a high school student who sent that pic to his school with the “figurative” comment that this is what the school would look like if he didn’t get his way?

JT: You're boring, Dennis

GP: That’s not an answer to the question.

UPDATE: Some readers have informed us that the picture is of Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Dome.

UPDATE 2: Some of Thompson's other legal theatrics are getting some crossover mainstream attention at Slate...

UPDATE 3: Someone apparently e-mailed Thompson with some rather disgusting "figurative" comments. That kind of thing, frankly, does nothing to help the image of gamers. But, in any event, Thompson and I had this exchange concerning the "figurative" e-mail he received :

JT: Dennis, I'm sure you deplore the [nasty e-mail], which you're responsible, for, right?

GP: Actually, I do deplore that. Responsible? No. Everyone is, of course, responsible for their own actions. You know, I’m trying to remember who created that e-mail about the Bar Building looking blown up…  and who sent it to me knowing that I publish things…  And who answered my several follow-up questions about it….  Wait – it was you!

UPDATE 4: 1PM, Sunday... another e-mail from Thompson:

Wow, that "Jack Thompson threatens to bomb The Florida Bar" has gotten tremendous traction, hasn't it?  Apparently you're the only vendetta-obsessed loon who wanted to take it that way.  Poor Dennis, captured by your own industry agenda.