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?
I guess it is easier to suppress free speech after you've falsely assumed the mantle of defending it. Any organization honoring Thompson must share many of his views. They need to be exposed for the frauds that they are. Is it any wonder they are overly defensive about answering why they believe Thompson deserves to be honored? They can't can even stand up to the slightest scrutiny or they would have at least provided some short statement. The reailty is there agenda is to provide false legitimacy to people who have consistantly fought against freedom of speech. He is only being honored because he advances an anti video game agenda which they agree with. As always Thompson is only a champion of his own freedom to speak, misrepresent, and misinform. I still support freedom of speech in spite of the cost of contesting the ignorant noise that it allows people like these to spew.
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.
That statement is wreaking havok with my higher brain functions. They celebrate people who sacrifice the freedom of others? Is that actually what it says? Seriously?
I feel I should ponder something else before my head implodes.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Sacrifice for.
One word can make a big difference.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
That statement is actually saying that they sacrifice themselves in order to get freedom for themselves and others. That would be worthy of being honored, but too bad it doesn't actually apply to Jacko..
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Holy crap. Right you are. I can't believe how many times I read that and missed the for each time.
You're right that it certainly doesn't sound like the Jack Thompson we know. Then again, the way I was reading it sounded pretty damn close... maybe it's a typo.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Well, the same thing happened to me. I believe we are unconsiouly ignoring the word "for" because it's the complete opposite of what Jack does. Our brains simply ignores it because it's preposterous. And if you take out the "for", then it all makes sense.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Anyone else laugh at this Sentence?
"It was a humbling day when Patrica passed the Florida State Bar Exam --- And Jack did not."
Jack was spending too much time learning how to be a bible thumper and not enough time learning about Law...
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
It was probably 'humbling' because how could a woman, a lesser being who is a gift form God to men, possibly succeed where he failed?
Given his background I am actually a little surprised he lets her practice law, esp in light of his comments twoards the female blank rome lawyer about how her husband should be ashamed of what she does and protect her from the evils of the world.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I sent this to "American Freedom (BS) festval"
I find it disgraceful that you are "honoring" Jack Thompson in your festival. He spreaads lies as truth and uses "god" to spread his propoganda. On top of that he uses his lawyer (soon to be Ex) status to try to ruin peoples livelyhood. If this is your idea of freedom then why not castro, hussain, Or even Hitler they all share one thing in common they use the power granted to them to run wild and destroy lives Thompson was just caught before her could do any real damage!
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Last edit all other tripe will cause the entire post to be deleted. - Toll
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Maybee. But at least we can discuss our thoughts and ideas in a civilized, although sarcastic, manner and post our name/handle to our post.
Besides we aren't forcing you to read this thread. If you don't like or agree with our comments, then look away or head here.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
How about let's not and say we did...
CIVIL? make bias judgements against groups that he says he supports
you're just as bad as he is, go on thinking you're helping people
the man says something bad about your "toys" and you go batshit insane
just like children
Bleh I'm just going to start deleting comments it's easier and you aren't adding much to the conversation. -Toll
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
whoa you were right on that one, Toll... thank you! And no idea where the f these trolls are coming from .... then again isn't summer vacation starting? :( (I'd just clicked the 'report spam' button not even a minute ago.
400 Episodes, TEN YEARS and counting: http://www.orangeloungeradio.com/ | Voice of Geeks Network - http://www.vognetwork.com
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Wow. I *live* in Utah County. Even I'm appalled that they'd pick Wacko Jacko. I think I might just go buy tickets to the event so I can just laugh when they give him the award. For those who are interested, feel free to write letters to the editor of the local newspaper (http://www.heraldextra.com/).
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Oh wow, you "gamers" are just proving his point "BLAME THE CHRISTIANS" "BLAME EVERYBODY UGH"
"GAMERS AREN'T VIOLENT, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU JACK"
You know things were quite civil until you showed up.. let's narrow the insults..mmkay? -Toll
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
wait... i'm a Christian.. and i'ma gamer as well...
most of my churchmates play games with me, and some of our pastors play MMORPGs... and boy could they power level! even better than me! more than 10 levels a week!? And that's AFTER preparing their preachings, counseling, taking care of their wife and kids!
what does that make us!?
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
we are angry, and i believe we are entitled to that. it somewhat hard to be civil and level-headed to a person who insulted the state of our prefrontal cortexes, invented a curseword to use against gamers, and openely attempted to declare our pastime out of constitutonal protection. combine that with the sheer lack of active representation, and we are forced to represent ourselves in a less than ideal manner ( see Cooper Lawrence). i will not insult anyone, and i siguest you do the same
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
And Trolls are great to edit out... move along everyone.. we don't feed these.
Toll
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Did someone change the definition of the word 'Freedom'?
Phone Oxford. I want an official opinion on this one.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I live in Oxford, does that count?
I was just thinking the same thing. I hadn't realised someone had brought out a newspeak dictionary yet.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Someone check, did they honor the leaders of the Third Reich as great Humanitarians?
I still do wonder if Jack actually knows the text of the First Amendment, because he seems to always get it wrong. Maybe he's thinking the text of the First Commandment, those hyper-religious types seems to get them confused.
Hmmm... quite a few of Jack's buzz words can be modified to apply to him. Instead of hyper-reality, we change it to hyper-religious, from ultra-violent to ultra-idiotic. See, works for everyone.
Sarcasm aside, as many have said, Jack hasn't done anything to help freedom, but he has made many attempts to suppress it with frivilous litigation, threats of lawsuits that border on black-mail, threatening people who call out his narrow-minded childish antics with police action, and generally being a bloody ass of himself so he can get his face of Faux News so he can plug his out of print book.
Maybe someone should show up to this event in a tan S.A. uniform with "arm band" and praise the party's loyalty to Jack Thompson.
On a side note, anyone know why they always dress up like S.A. and not S.S.?
"The Good, the Bad, and the Videogame" Reviews on the best, worst, and controversial issues of Videogames. gryphonosiris.blogspot.com/
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
It's probably already been seen by all, but this would explain alot about JT if it wasn't a comic strip.
One Possible Explanation
Gotta love Penny-Arcade.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I saw that, and lawled.
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?
So, this nomination was before June 4th? Maybe they will think it better after know how is Thompson´s situation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I also wonder if lies and deceit are the Freedom Festival organizers "moral" tools.
After all, Mr. Freedom Hero knowingly and intentionally lied to a certain government organizatio claiming that Bully had "gay sex" in it and the closest thing to "intimate contact" was two boys kissing.
Yeah, really warrior for Freedom, huh?
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Nightwng2000 has also updated his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/nightwing2000 Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I also note that Ms. Garbutt also seeks out John Bruce's comments on GP's agenda.
So much for Freedom.
After all, Ms. Garbut could:
1. Look at GP herself and make her own mind up.
2. Ask Dennis about GP's "agenda".
3. Do even more thorough research on the web.
But, instead, her version of "Freedom" involves asking an "opponent" of the issues and taking their word for it.
Wait...
That sounds oddly familiar.
Wasn't there a story awhile back about a supposed "professional" who was asked by a certain "TV News" network to do an interview about a certain game. And the ONLY research she did on the game was that someone before the show told her it was pornographic? That sounds... oddly familiar.
Hmmm....
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
Nightwng2000 has also updated his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/nightwing2000 Nightwng2000 is now admin to the group "Parents For Education, Not Legislation" on MySpace as http://groups.myspace.com/pfenl
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I am now Ashamed to say I'm from Utah!
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I live in Utah. Not in Provo, but not too far away either. I just sent them a message telling them how much I disapprove, and the page said that they will respond. We'll see what happens.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Also Dennis: Have you tried emailing Jack's forwarding of Ms. Garbutt's forwarding back to her with the message that your "agenda" is freedom?
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
No. I gave Ms. Garbutt several opportunities to respond. However, she chose not to for reasons known only to her.
It's not a big deal, but I think they'd look more on the up-and-up if they just made their position public.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Wow, so, he's a hero of freedom, because he's taking away our freedom to play games.
Curious.
Well, i was never going to utah anyway.
I hope he has fun, it'll be his last public engnagement, and what a way to go out.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Let's not forget that he tried to take away freedom of speech.
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."
Someone needs to do their research if they are actually considering giving JT an award. Seeing as how he has worked to silience the freedoms of others, rather than fight for them. I have a feeling a few people over at Fox News put Jack's name in for an award, seeing as how they view him as a "First Amendment Lawyer." But since they are accepting wacky nominations for the awards, I hearby nominate GI. Joe the Real American Hero.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
"I hearby nominate GI. Joe the Real American Hero."
Seconded.
The irony has already been poitnted out I'm sure but, how can a "man" who was once awarded as "Censor of the Year" also recieve an "award" for being a so-called freedom fighter? A bit contradictory if I do say so myself....and I do!
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
"celebrating the individuals who sacrifice for their own freedom and the freedom of others."
do you see saving or protecting in that sentance? jack seems willing to get rid of freedom alltogether in the interests of his crusade. he's seen as a hero to these people why? i guess they have a dislike for freedom.
Those who are willing to sacrifice their basic liberties to assure their security deserve neither. - Attributed to :: Benjamin Franklin
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Oh come now, there's FAR better ones than GI Joe, he was just a wanker. Now The Greatest American Hero, he was a hero. Also great & american so he seems perfect for that award.
As for jack, I suggest someone should email the parade organisers a link to all the GP stories about his disbarment with instructions to do a search for his user name to see how he treats everyone in a slightly less public setting.
Then again, the same organisation also does a 3v3 soccer tournament where teams can have up to 6 people, tends to whack "Freedom" in front of almost everything oh and runs a "Mayors Prayer Breakfast"
Paul Warner, vice-president of the event, says he believes the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast gives the Freedom Festival a spiritual as well as a celebratory tone to freedom. "We feel very keenly about America's position under God," says Warner. "This is a crucial part of the festival's purpose…to bring people together to pray for this country."
I always thought america saw itself more as a dom than a sub...
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Submitted by Demontestament
'But since they are accepting wacky nominations for the awards, I hearby nominate GI. Joe the Real American Hero.'
As long as it's Snake-eyes. I'm with you.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
well i just read the JT specific event page and i actually DO understand why he has been chosen.
Its because the write of the article is a fellow liar like JT.
he claims JT has been:
'relentlessly working to make the public, especially parents, aware of the connection between violent video games and violence in the streets and schools of america'
there we go. A liar ladies and gents. Is proof offered of this 'connection'? are any research studies proving the connection cited ? ... fraid not. Just hearsay and vague opinion. Wow.. a professional journalist at work.
If they can PROVE the connection, then yeah give JT his award and ill also throw in a hundred bucks for him, and eat my own legs. Its not gonna happen becaue there ISNT ANY PROOF OF A CONNECTION other than correlation which doesnt mean Jack.
Its also no wonder that JT has a narcissism problem with journalist like this it sounds like its written by an obsessed fanboy. Its making me vomit a little in my mouth each time i read it, so full of flowery praise and adoration. How can it ignore the flip side to JT? i mean the flip side accounts for 99.9% of his personality. Sheesh.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
He's getting an award that honors 'individuals who have espoused the cause of freedom throughout the world' for 'individuals who sacrifice for their own freedom and the freedom of others' by trying to limit the freedom of others? While Soliders, Marines, Sailors and Airmen (such as myself) fight for the complete freedom of all with our lives without recieving anything of the like in return. If he's an American Hero then those serving in the military are living legends.
Hero? *chuckle*
Being a hero can be measured in terms of who you are a hero to. Adolf Hitler was/is a hero to many unpleasant skinhead groups. Fred Phelps family see him as one. The Taliban and other extremist groups see the 9/11 hijackers as heroes. Jack, it appears, is a hero to a group of backwards nanny staters whose definition of freedom is "everything we like". I sincerely doubt that the right to be a homosexual or any other religion but christian is part of their "agenda".
That article about Jack is very funny, like most of his self-promoting blurbs, it's packed full of delicious irony.
They claim that during his "crusade" against these big evil corporations, "he has been threatened, publicly mocked, fined, sued and bullied by large corporations."
They forget to mention that he has also threatened, mocked publicly, attempted to sue and attempt to bully others himself! Remember the threats of lawsuits and subpoenas? The attempts at using public nuisance law to stifle the free speech of others? Calling people who disagree with his point of view "morons" and "idiots" on live television?
As mentioned by someone above, he is credited with "relentlessly working to make the public, especially parents, aware of the connection between violent video games and violence in the streets and schools of America."
In the interests of correctness it should be changed to "the alleged connection", or the "as-yet-unproven connection". But hey, they left out the half of the story with Jack making the insults and threats, why not cut out the unfortunate parts of the full story for this section too.
I wonder if the freedom to post sexually explicit material in the public court record is one of the freedoms that these people admire so much. Maybe they are awed by his promotion of the freedom to mock a community affected by a member's suicide. Or his freedom to disparage and insult an entire demographic based on his quack science. How about his freedom to use his religion as an excuse for his unprofessional behaviour? I'd love to contact the organisers and explain to them that the little bio they have for Jack in their event program is incredibly sugar coated and edited, and that he has actually been recommended for disbarment by his professions governing body, but I'm sure they would dismiss my information as being part of an "agenda", like Dennis' enquiry.
Re: Hero? *chuckle*
Please do contact them. I happen to live in the county in question, as does a good friend of mine who is pretty much as religious as most people in this county. Guess what? He and I both think Mr. Thompson is a disgrace to the legal profession and to Christianity.
The people in this county are actually fairly rational folks. Send the people in charge of the festival a civil letter or e-mail, and inform them of all of the facts (and please, nothing else) surrounding Mr. Thompson's recent legal struggles. They just might change their mind about having him show up.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Jack Thompson is a freedom fighter all right. Few can say they've tried as hard to fight freedom as that man. I also love his little Thompson Threats. It's like listening to a terror alert on the news. It's cute, colorful, and implies that something is coming, but it never does.
- The most frightening thing a person can ever hear: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help"
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
"It's what gets at the heart of what we talk about with freedom — celebrating the individuals who sacrifice... the freedom of others."
Fixed.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Meh.
He's being honored by a fanatic fundamentalist Christian group. He fits right in with that group. If we're used to him appearing on Fox News, this shouldn't bother anyone. The only thing it will do is boost his ego even more (if you can believe that's possible).
His disbarrment is coming friends, be patient.
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
I have no patience!!! Where's the cheat code where I can make the disbarment happen now?
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
sorry but to search for such code requires one to divide by zero...
which no one can do
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
Do the next best thing, then: Divide by X as X approaches zero. Then at least the time until JT's disbarment will be infinitely small.
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." Thompson forwarded the e-mail back to us the following day with the warning,
"Careful, Dennis."
lol... careful about what?...no really, careful about WHAT?
seriously.. does JT not understand the purpose of gamepolitics again?. a NEWS site about games and politics, and an award ceremony honoring Jack Thompson as *cough* i can barely say it .. an individual who has espoused the cause of freedom throughout the world, clearly qualifies as newsworthy and on topic. (although the topic itself is bizaare to say the least)
I dont understand quite what Mr Thompson is saying to be careful about here. Theres nothing wrong / illegal / immoral about emailing OFFICIAL representatives at a festival enquiring about something that is happening there. What.. are you going to start another random make-believe law suit up over this Mr Thompson? What will it be this time? perhaps you will claim Dennisis working for the magical Lobster people of Atlantis to bring about the downfall of the modern world. Whatever you come up with its always guaranteed to be something bizaare, and this threat isnt any different.
I also dont understand why JT always refers to Dennis personally. Surely he can see the enquiry wasnt of a personal nature to Dennis specifically, it was an enquiry made as a representative of GamePolitics. Now whose the one with an obsession...
Re: Jack Thompson: American Hero?
When I think of Jack Thompson, I think of freedom...fries.