On Saturday VentureBeat posted Dean Takahashi's excellent, eve-of-E3 interview with ESA CEO Michael Gallagher.
Among his remarks, Gallagher took a rare shot at embattled anti-game attorney Jack Thompson, telling Takahashi:
[Thompson] is in the rear view mirror... The bright future that lies in front of us does not include Jack Thompson...
Naturally, we couldn't resist asking the volatile Thompson for his reaction to Gallagher's remarks. In an e-mail to Gallagher, cc'd to GamePolitics, Thompson wrote:
Dear Mike:
I really enjoyed your "Jack Thompson is in the rearview mirror" comment. I think it is a reasonable thing to say, based upon what you think you know about what is going on between me and The Florida Bar, but in fact it is not accurate. You don't know what is going on behind the scenes.
What I would like you to know, however, is that I plan to file a lawsuit this week against the ESA. It's about time. If you think my current, soon to be past, Bar problems are an impediment to that suit, think again...
I look forward to the entire video game industry having the ESA and the ESRB in its rearview mirror. That should be accomplished soon.
GP: The lawsuit of which Thompson speaks is apparently some type of RICO allegation. We've asked for more details but are taking a wait-and-see attitude as to whether this one ever happens. Not every lawsuit Thompson threatens actually gets filed, and this one in particular has the whiff of a non-starter.
Thompson also sent Gallagher the picture included in this report, which is, we have to admit, an amusing touch.
Getting all of the Thompson news out of the way so we can focus on E3, the controversial barrister has - not unexpectedly - filed several motions with the Florida Supreme Court, objecting to last week's report by Judge Dava Tunis which recommended that he be disbarred for life.
Comments
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
It hardly ever does
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
This wouldn't be the first time Jack's thrown around RICO allegations. In his mind every action taken against him is bought and paid for by evil corporations that corrupt the innocent, and otherwise have nothing better to do than mastermind his downfall.
Ironically, if it weren't for the fact that Jack's a one man show, he'd probably be a closer match for RICO laws than those that he accuses.
-Gray17
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Actually with his connections to the PTC and other groups wouldn't those definitions fit?
Just something to consider.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I know that the ESA may be a little down currently, but I doubt they feel even the slightest bit intimidated by that petty little threat.
-"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I'd say 'He's doing it wrong!' but... I dunno. It's just not fun anymore. I wish September would hurry up so that we could be over and done with this guy already...
400 Episodes, TEN YEARS and counting: http://www.orangeloungeradio.com/ | Voice of Geeks Network - http://www.vognetwork.com
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
"I wish September would hurry up so that we could be over and done with this guy already..."
I'm not a law-type person so correct me if I'm wrong here. As I recall Judge Tunis had until September 4th to give her report and recomendation to the Bar. She has already turned that in, last week right? So wouldn't that mean JT could (potentially) be disbared sooner than September?
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Now that I think about it, you might be right. I mean, IANAL so I dunno how it works but... that makes sense.
(I should put the site I work for in my sig so everyone knows where the party will be after the funeral for JT's failed law career...)
400 Episodes, TEN YEARS and counting: http://www.orangeloungeradio.com/ | Voice of Geeks Network - http://www.vognetwork.com
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I want time to slow down so I can enjoy Jack failing more. I can't get enough of his antics, I lawl at them.
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 Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Agreed, he's definately doing it wrong by saying that he wants to put the ESRB in the industy's past. For a guy that wants the ESRB's standards to be enforced more strictly than any other industry's standards, it would seem a bit silly that he would want to be done with them.
Obviously, Jack wants to destroy the ESRB so that he can set up his own version of it, with him at the head. That way, if (and more likely when) he gets disbarred, he has a job to turn to.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I dont think even if he destroyed the ESRB and set up his own version with him at the head that anyone would use it considering jack seems to have less leadership quality then a bag of freezedried dill & rat salmon chips.
Words are more hunerous then they appear
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Oh Jaaaaaack, remember to get another lawyer in with good standing with the bar to co-sign the lawsuit. Remember that? I think the Supreme Court has told you that....more than once. Just like the countless amount of fireplace kindling you have provided, if you don't have another GOOD STANDING Bar member sign it....the world gets a little warmer from the nice fire it proves for that office.
Go nuts and happy suing, Jack.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Why would a decision affecting only the Supreme Court of Florida affect his ability to file in federal courts (where RICO Act filings would happen)?
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
So which will be first on his list of things that are "coming soon" this lawsuit or jackandgoliath.com that he promiced would be coming soon more than a year ago?
http://www.popularculturegaming.com
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Duke Nukem Forever will get here before either of those.
Someone's in denial...
In spite of overwhelming evidence that he's a flop, Jack Thompson still claims to be a viable threat. Oh, and I'm suing Jack for slander. See you in court old lady.(joke)
-Entertainment isn't the reason the world sucks. It's the reason we know the world sucks. For information on games and psychology, look up: Jonathan Freedman(2002)Block & Crain(2007)Grand Theft Childhood, by Harvard researchers Larry Kutner&Cheryl Olson
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I want to live in Jack's reality where the real world doesn't exist.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Did Gallagher's reply e-mail include "Yeah right Jack"? Seriously, people need to start trash talking back.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
When the going gets tough, the tough post image macros.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Why are we baiting him?
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
We could use some laughs because of yet another dissapointing E3.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Because it's fun.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Slow news day? Or maybe because it's fun now that he's been all but completely defanged.
Chris 'coldacid' Charabaruk <coldacid.net>
IGDA Indie SIG Coordinator, Programmer, Designer
Chris 'coldacid' Charabaruk <coldacid.net>
IGDA Indie SIG Coordinator, Programmer, Designer
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Between Game Politics and the JAABlog, Jack-o keeps me amused all day long...
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
RICO, eh? I don't think he'll be able to even go forward on that one. It seems to me that Jack's just mad about the way things are going for him, and is trying to find a way to keep being heard about non-existant problems.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I love that GP just has to end every article mentioning Jack Thompson with the words "disbarred for life". I think that on the day that the ruling goes through, every article posted should be ammended with the words "JT disbarred for LIFE".
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Jack's just sad cuz he's losing his one man war against the games industry.
You should just give up now, Jack, there's no way for you to win. Your arguements have more holes in them than swiss cheese.
Get back in your time machine, and go back to 1993, when you were still relevant.
---You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Your signature completes that post nicely.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
If he had a time machine the EA deal woudl likely have passed already
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Objects in Mirror Appear to be Losing
So John Bruce responds to comments to him being in the rearview mirror by sending a picture stting that objects in rearview mirrors are losing. Classic. He agrees with the comment without actually stating so.
I would love to see this lawsuit he has in store for the ESA. I wonder if it was anything like his last RICO suit involving Gawker and everyotehr video game related organization in the world. Can't beat the Penny Arcade comic after that one. (don't have time to search for the link)
E. Zachary Knight
www.editorialgames.com
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
The comic in question: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/03/23/
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Thank you.
E. Zachary Knight
www.editorialgames.com
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Trying to use the RICO statute to go after the ESA? Any lawyer with a smidgen of sense would know better than that, considering that the ESA is completely legit, and has committed no wrongdoing.
I did notice something about how Jack does things. He reminds me of a shareholder's meeting man that goes in, acts like a lout, and doesn't leave until you pay him to. I think that is why he does what he does (to get a settlement). It just blew up on him in a monumental fashion. Fred Phelps and his cronies were guilty of the same thing.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Didn't you hear? The ESA employs two mysterious figures known only as "Bruno" and "Knuckles." Officially they are Zelnicks "personal security." But come on, we all know the REAL story and all those trips Zelnick takes to Sicily...OPEN YOUR EYES MAN!!!
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Thompson should look up Leo Stoller, someone else who has done Pro Se litigation. Mind you, Mr. Stoller has been in the area of trademark infringement... mostly of him trademarking a common word for something rediculous like sports equipment then sueing anyone who tries to use that same common word, claiming that he controls all rights to it. For example, he trademarked "Stealth" for sports equipment, then threaten suits against the film "Stealth", Northrop-Grumman (the 'Stealth' bomber, i.e. the B2 Spirit), and anyone else that may use any of his trademarked words, even if it's not for the same product type.
He also was filed as a vexatious litigant, and has had all his trademarks sold in bankruptcy court last year. His tactic is to make a bunch of dummy businesses and then trademark things in order to be able to file lawsuits on anyone who may use those particular keywords in order to make money off them in settlements.
No, it hasn't worked all that well, but he keeps trying.
He and Thompson would get along fine: both are liars, corrupt, bullies, have no moral quams about dishonest legal practices, and both have a permanent place in the "Epic Fail" awards.
"The Good, the Bad, and the Videogame" Reviews on the best, worst, and controversial issues of Videogames. gryphonosiris.blogspot.com/
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Jack "The Miami Information Minister" Thompson
-- http://pixelantes.blogspot.com/
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
"Those are not piles of failed lawsuits you see behind me! You are all on drugs!"
-- If your wiimote goes snicker-snack, check your wrist-strap...
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
"No, my pants are not burning! I'm still an attorney! Really! Now, could you help me down from this telecommunications cable?"
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
"OBJECTS IN REARVIEW MIRROR APPEAR TO BE LOSING"
Why does Jack mock himself so?
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
And I'd like to add: You couldn't even win against Penny-Arcade or Kotaku. What makes you think you have a chance in hell against the Florida Bar if a comic strip and a gaming blog spanked your ass?
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Ouch...keep it above the belt gentlemen...
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Hey Jack, if it appears like you are losing there may be a reason for that: You are. Do you remember all of those other times when things looked bleak for you and you said it was actually a blessing for you, do you remember what happened? Yes thats right, it looked bleak because it was. Yet again you said that Take-Two taking litigation against you was something you were praying for and would allow you to destroy them. You didn't destroy them now did you? But they did spank your ass in a legal sense now did they? Now apply that to the current situation. You are not winning, you never have been winning. Like always, you will lose.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
How little you know. Jack always has an ace up his sleeve, even when he doesn't.
Wait... I guess you do know.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I'm guessing "sleeve" is a code word for another part of his anatomy and "ace" is a code word for gerbil or head.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
"OBJECTS IN REARVIEW MIRROR APPEAR TO BE LOSING"
Haha, I love it. Why have I never seen that before?
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
That would be a good T-shirt for the contest... :(
The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Put JT's face in the mirror and change the text to "Objects in rearview mirror are now irrelevant"
Hunting the shadows of the troubled dreams.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
So he wants the ESRB left behind? Isn't this the institution that his entire laws are based upon? Enforcement of the ratings? Well, leave that behind and he completely invalidates his stance.
Way to go, Jackie-boy.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
Those previously too young to pull one over on Gamestop clerks will now get all the GTA they want. I say we run with him on this one. ;)
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
According to him, they are part of the vast conspiracy to allow rated M games, and AO games to be sold to minors. Oh and because they rated a couple of violent games M, instead of AO...they are corrupt and are targets of his.
Re: Jack Thompson Reacts to ESA Head's "Rearview Mirror" Comment
I think we ALL know how this is going to pan out; Supreme Court disbar Jack, Jack pretends it hasn't happened and continues to file documents with the court, the court orders Jack to stop, Jack doesn't stop and get thrown in jail for contempt.
I bet you £10 Jack will be in a jail cell before the year is out.