Jack Thompson: American Hero?

June 9, 2008 -

Is controversial Miami attorney Jack Thompson a freedom fighter?

While the Florida Bar argued last week that the anti-game activist should be disbarred for a minimum of ten years, Thompson is scheduled to be honored at America's Freedom Festival on July 2nd in Provo, Utah. While information is sketchy, the web page for the Freedom Awards describes them as intended:

...to honor individuals who have espoused the cause of freedom throughout the world.

In light of his current legal difficulties, Thompson is an interesting choice, to say the least. His selection could potentially stir up some local controversy in Utah, as well. In 2007 Thompson called for the indictment of the state's Republican Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, over Shurtleff's recommendation that a Thompson-authored video game law then under consideration in the legislature was unconstitutional.

GamePolitics has made three attempts in recent weeks to contact event organizers in order to determine who submitted Thompson for the award and on what basis. Although we have yet to receive a response, we know that our e-mail was viewed by chairperson Vicki Garbutt since she forwarded a copy to Thompson on May 28th, inquiring about our "agenda." Thompson forwarded the e-mail back to us the following day with the warning, "Careful, Dennis."

The awards dinner is sponsored by Utah County, described as "the most Republican county in the most Republican state in the United States."

In the past, Garbutt has explained the Freedom Award as follows:

It's what gets at the heart of what we talk about with freedom — celebrating the individuals who sacrifice for their own freedom and the freedom of others.

Thompson has forwarded a copy of what appears to be his page from the event program. However, it offers few specifics regarding his selection.

UPDATE: I should point out that it's not my intent to frame this story as any type of commentary on Republicans. Thompson has certainly had his issues with Republicans in Florida and elsewhere (as I noted, he was ridiculously harsh in his criticism of Utah's A.G. Shurtleff, a Republican). 


Comments

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

You see, when they want to make laughs, they go to sites and "raid" them, meaning they fill it up with nonsence posts, profanity, and other such things in a effort to...I don't really know, be cool I suppose, and hope that someone else will see it and say "Ha! That's funny!" You just have to ignore them and they'll leave. They just crave attention in a severe way. Rather sad actually.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Ahh, they ARE jack thompson then, tits with a desperate sense of self loathing who only find validation in the attention of others, regardless of the type of attention

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Spamming circle jerk pretty much covers all of it.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

It's what gets at the heart of what we talk about with freedom — celebrating the individuals who sacrifice for their own freedom and the freedom of others.

Sacrificing his own freedom? Really? How do you figure that freedom = right to a Bar license?

-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Oh open your eyes man, he's been denied that basic freedom for absolutely no reason other than gross disregard for all the conditions under which that freedom exists & which he swore an oath to uphold. If thats not injustice then I don't know what is!

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Although we have yet to receive a response, we know that our e-mail was viewed by chairperson Vicki Garbutt since she forwarded a copy to Thompson on May 28th, inquiring about our "agenda."

Wow, someone's a little paranoid.

Heh, I'd ask if she was related to my mother's side of the family (last name), but I know for a fact that the more "radical" members moved to California, not Utah. :D

You should have replied back to Vicki stating you were a pinko-commie islamofacist, and you wanted to know who had nominated JT so you could begin a campaign of harassment and intimidation in order to destroy his freedoms. Because that would totally ruin his chances of winning an award for fighting against oppression...

The purpose of the festival is to commemorate our Day of Independence and celebrate the spirit of America by creating festivities that instill a deeper sense of patriotism in the hearts of those involved. Local and state governments, generous sponsors, event chairs, and literally thousands of volunteers work together to organize events for men, women, and children of all ages.

This group seems more the kind that would think up lovely laws like "Oaths of Loyalty"...

honor those who have distinguished themselves in the cause of liberty nationally and internationally

Somehow I can't see Jack falling into that category...

-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Don't feed the trolls, they'll be back under their bridges when bedtime comes.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

This gives me another reason to hate republicans.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

These clowns aren't Republicans. They are neo-cons.

They use the bible as a sword, and god as a shield to push their narrow-minded agenda that has nothing to do with either. (No, there's nothing wrong with God or the bible, but there's something wrong with people using them as a bludgeon to push their beliefs on everyone else.)

Just more people forgetting what America is all about.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Haven't had a chance to read all the comments yet, that said, it's difficult to escape the conclusion that anyone who would publicly honor ol'jacko as a "freedom fighter", is either: a hypocrite, sadly misinformed, an idiot, or pursuing their own agenda.  (Or some combination of the above traits.)  That said, if they want to single him out.  Fine, let them.  No skin off my nose really, I don't see allot of harm in it.  Though I do admit, I am a little bit disturbed that there are people in the blood and the mud making real sacrifices, and this douchebag gets a public commendation?  What's wrong with the world?  Change the fricking channel.


 

"Even if it was online gaming that somehow inspired him to kill his parents, he must have realised at some point that they wouldn't drop any good loot." - GP member, Doomsong

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

WELL HE AIN'T MAH BOY

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

It's just funny that after all this time you guys haven't come up with a more clever way to troll. Being pro-Jack Thompson would've been a good start, but instead you stuck with the usual.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

In other words, it's NEWFAG SUMMER.

Newfags trying to raid this thread in order to create chaos and make thmselves look good in /v/.

Newsflash: Most folks in /v/ don't care about raids in general because they feel that raids were responsible for making 4chan worse than it already is.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Well, one man's terrorist is another mans "Freedom Fighter"? Let see which he falls under:

1. A well documented campaign of lies and misrepresents the truth concerning video games.

2. Fights against established US constitutional laws when they don't fit his agenda

3. Makes a living off peoples misery and giving them false hope of retribution. When the compensation doesn't appear, blames it on the government or other miscellaneous entities.

4. Justifies his methods and lies with a wide, ever reaching conspiracy theory that is "out to get him".

5. Claims to follow a religous doctrine when it befits his cause.

6. Claims to receive  regular communication from "God", yet every endeavour ends in failure.

Now this is just 6 things off the top of my head. There are many, many more.  Imagine if I was to show this list to police entities and asked them if this was a "Freedom Fighter" or a terrorist. What do you think they would answer?

It saddens me that that the whole week is devalued by this anti-constituional bigot receiveing some sort of recognition, other than newstime for his conviction on 27 counts of professional misconduct.

 

 

Keep up the questions Dennis, I would love to hear how they arrived at this decision.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

From the looks of the thread, this looks like the work of one or two guys. Judging by the thread, most of the folks at /v/ couldn't care less about raiding the thread. This is just 1 or two newfags trying to create "epic lulz" for street cred.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

I didn't realize that censorship and taking decisions away from responsible adults was freedom.

 

Whoever runs this festival needs to read the constitution.  They're absolutely retarded.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

But it is! It's the freedom to take decisions away from responsible adults! How dare we oppress Jack's clearly god-given right to make choices for us! He's a hero for standing up to us! LOL

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Yes, from what we are seeing, it's obviously a 4-chan raid. *Breaking rule 1 and 2 by talking about 4-chan*

*Yawn*

Dennis can clean this up shortly. There really isn't any fighting the raid. Whatever you say will only be scewed and twisted. It's one of the rules as well. Luckily, 4-chan posts are very easy to spot.

As to the article, I think this falls under one of the general internet rules about no matter how weird your statement, you can always find someone who will agree with you. JT doesn't operate in a vacuum, it's just that the US isn't his power base. There will be pockets of people who still feel that people are better off only thinking what others want them to think and seeing what others want them to see.

There really isn't any reason to write to them or anything. Changing your mind or forming an opinion isn't favorably considered in some places.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Shut up

Sincerly

-INTERNET EXPERT

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

From the looks of things, it's not /v/'s handiwork, especially since there is NO thread about a raid in /v/.

Mostly likely this is /b/'s handiwork.  It's newfag summer and the underage b&ns have come out to play.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Um, actually... this is kinda-sorta my fault.

http://zip.4chan.org/v/res/16014585.html

People of GamePolitics.com, please forgive me.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

What the Hell...!?

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

yeah i don't think jack deserves anything for "freedom" and btw when did the troll show up?

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Oops, sorry about this, guys. I think I accidentially let the monster out of the cage. You see, I realize now that it was a mistake to post this story on /v/.

I hope this explains the weird posts.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Wow, EPIC FAIL, lol

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Note to self and others:

Don't do that again. EVER.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Oh, believe me, this is enough internet humiliation for one lifetime (i.e. mine); I've learned my lesson.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Meh, don't take it THAT hard. I exaggerated my response for the hell of it anyway.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Well I've seen what they act like there WE DID NOT NEED IT HERE THX.

 

400 Episodes, TEN YEARS and counting: http://www.orangeloungeradio.com/ | Voice of Geeks Network - http://www.vognetwork.com

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

everybody hates 4chan, because everybody is hated by them

its hilarious

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Fools, be glad I'm not an admin. THOU SHALT NOT MAKE MENTION OF THE ASSHOLE OF THE INTERNET!!!

I AM A LOST SOUL, CONDEMNED TO HAUNT THE DREAMS OF JOHN BRUCE "JACK" THOMPSON UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS. SOMEONE, PLEASE! END MY SUFFERING!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I AM DOOMED TO HAUNT JACK THOMPSON'S DREAMS UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

I go to 4chan. I just don't waste my life there like SOME people do.

Wink wink? Hint hint? Nudge Nudge? Mirite?!

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

*nods in agreement again*

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

you goto 4chan your life is already wasted

 

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

*nods in agreement*

 

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

...

*sighs and waits for Dennis to cull the troll posts and get out the IP-banhammer*

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Dennis, i think it's time you make it so you have to log in before you can post. We've gotten trolls before, but not frikkin 4CHAN trolls... jeez.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Let's hold off on requiring logging in until after the registration link actually works. Because unless AOL email, and Gamepolitics' host just don't like each other, then it doesn't.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

I'm on Cox and am having trouble too. The same with the ECA forum. No luck there. I've requested new passwords, contacted them, etc. Nothing in my spam folder or anywhere else.

If a mod sees this, please help. I'm Ryno on both sites with the same email address, which works fine otherwise. Any help would be much appreciated.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Hi there 4chan. More specifically, hi /v/.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

It's not like this is stopping himm from getting disbarred.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Posting slurs in ALLCAPS certainly shows how immature everyone else is. Well played.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Niggers? Spics?

And gamers are the rude ones...

*sigh*

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Eh, the 'freedom festivil' and the orginization behind it have very, very little to do with 'freedom' outside celebrating the US sucessfully breaking away from england.   Very patrioity, very neo-con, very military.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

I'm kind of surprised and shocked to see him getting an award for being a "Freedom Fighter", especially considering that Jack Thompson is against freedom for the most part if it's not something he agrees with. Anyway, I guess someone would be dumb enough to think he's a good guy, hell, there were people who were loyal to and loved Hitler as well. Even the bad guys have fans sometimes and people who think they're doing the right thing even when it's wrong.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

I love jack, because you people get worked up over him

ALL HAIL JACK ULTIMATE TROLL

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Looking at some of the recent replies, we have a new troll to play with.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Damn I missed him..... I feel I may cry now.

Though I might sound stupid for asking, who Is/Was this 4chan about?

 

Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.

Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

Actually he's about to be Spammed, and have his IP pulled.

Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?

You stole my response right out from under me.

 
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Michael ChandraSo really the guy's own words strike me as "wah! How dare you disagree with me!" behaviour, which is the sort of childish attitude I am unfortunately not surprised by.10/20/2014 - 2:17pm
Michael ChandraCorrect AE, but then again the owner's own words are about "wishes", not about an order. No "we told him not to", but going against his wishes.10/20/2014 - 2:16pm
Matthew Wilsonyup. sadly that has been true for awhile.10/20/2014 - 2:10pm
james_fudgewelcome to 2014 politics. Increasingly fought online10/20/2014 - 1:54pm
E. Zachary KnightIt is honestly a shame that anyone has to publicly state they are against such vile behavior, but that is the sad life we live.10/20/2014 - 1:46pm
E. Zachary KnightDecided to publicly reiterate my opposition to harassment campaigns. http://randomtower.com/2014/10/just-stop-with-the-harassment-and-bullying-campaigns-already/10/20/2014 - 1:45pm
Andrew EisenMichael Chandra - Unless I overlooked it, we haven't seen how the directive to not talk about whatever he wasn't supposed to talk about was phrased so it’s hard to say if it could have been misconstrued as a suggestion or not.10/20/2014 - 12:35pm
Andrew EisenHey, the second to last link is the relevant one! He actually did say "let them suffer." Although, he didn't say it to the other person he was bickering with.10/20/2014 - 12:29pm
Neo_DrKefkahttps://archive.today/F14zZ https://archive.today/SxFas https://archive.today/1upoI https://archive.today/0hu7i https://archive.today/NsPUC https://archive.today/fLTQv https://archive.today/Wpz8S10/20/2014 - 11:21am
Andrew EisenNeo_DrKefka - "Attacking"? Interesting choice of words. Also interesting that you quoted something that wasn't actually said. Leaving out a relevant link, are you?10/20/2014 - 11:04am
quiknkoldugh. I want to know why the hell Mozerella Sticks are 4 dollars at my works cafeteria...are they cooked in Truffle Oil?10/20/2014 - 10:41am
Neo_DrKefkaAnti-Gamergate supporter Robert Caruso attacks female GamerGate supporter by also attacking another cause she support which is the situation happening in Syia “LET SYRIANS SUFFER” https://archive.today/F14zZ https://archive.today/Wpz8S10/20/2014 - 10:18am
Neo_DrKefkaThat is correct in an At-Will state you or the employer can part ways at any time. However Florida also has laws on the books about "Wrongful combinations against workers" http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/448.04510/20/2014 - 10:07am
james_fudgehe'd die if he couldn't talk about Wii U :)10/20/2014 - 9:16am
Michael ChandraBy the way, I am not saying Andrew should stop talking about Wii-U. I find it quite nice. :)10/20/2014 - 8:53am
Michael Chandra'How dare he ignore my wishes and my advice! I am his boss! I could have ordered him but I should be able to say it's advice rather than ordering him directly!'10/20/2014 - 8:52am
Michael ChandraIf GP goes "EZK, do not talk about X publicly for a week, we're preparing a big article on it" and he still tweets about X, they'd have a legitimate reason to be pissed.10/20/2014 - 8:52am
Michael ChandraIf GP tells Andrew "we'd kinda prefer it if you stopped talking about Wii-U for 1 week" and he'd tweet about it anyway, firing him for it would be idiotic.10/20/2014 - 8:51am
Michael ChandraLegal right, sure. But that doesn't make it any less pathetic of an excuse.10/20/2014 - 8:50am
ZippyDSMleeYou mean right to fire states.10/20/2014 - 8:50am
 

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