Utah Bill Sponsor Apologizes to Colleagues for Jack Thompson
Utah Bill Sponsor Apologizes to Colleagues for Jack Thompson
April 22, 2009
Although anti-game activist Jack Thompson's latest campaign to pass video game legislation in Utah got off to a fast start, it is ending both unsuccessfully and with rancor.
In the latest development, GamePolitics has learned that Rep. Mike Morley (R), the Utah House sponsor of the Thompson-authored HB 353, circulated an e-mail to his legislative colleagues last week in which he apologized for Thompson's behavior.
Morley's apology came in response to the flap caused by an Easter Sunday e-mail sent by Thompson to numerous Utah legislators. The e-mail, which ultimately prompted State Sen. President Michael Waddoups (R) to threaten Thompson with prosecution, depicted GTA IV 's Nico Bellic receiving a lap dance from a pair of strippers. Thompson also included links to videos of graphic GTA IV content.
Here is Morley's e-mail:
Subject: My apologies for Jack Thompson
Dear Fellow House Members:
Over the past few days, I have received three emails from Jack Thompson regarding his concerns about mature video games being sold to minors. Certainly, I am concerned about the graphic violence and sexuality of some of the mature video games, I am apalled by his use of what I view as pornographic images. I want to make it clear that I had no previous knowledge of his intention to send the images and I apologize to each of you who received his email and were offended as I was.
Mr. Thompson is a nation [sic] advocate for this cause, but he doesn't speak for me nor do I condone or appreciate his actions nor some his tactics.
Mike Morley
When asked for comment by GamePolitics, Thompson said that he hadn't seen Morley's e-mail and "couldn't care less." Within minutes, however, he fired off an e-mail of his own to Utah largely conservative legislators:
I understand that Mike Morley apologized to you all for the shocking image I sent you of two women in bikinis in a strip club. Sorry, Utahns, but you can see that on a beach. To see more explicit material as to what is in the GTA IV game, you had to click on the two links I provided, and that was your choice. I warned you what you would see if you chose to do so.
Mike Morley's apology is ridiculous. I didn't scandalous [sic] anyone with an image of two clad women. What is really going on here is that I upset the Republican club that runs Utah, and those in that club are seizing upon this harmless image as a ruse to scold the outsider who unfortunately showed that some in Utah aren't serious about protecting children. Your Governor isn't serious, and we sure as heck know your AG is not. Heck, he takes money from the video game industry to say how well the ratings are working... Incredible.
The only apology that is owed is by each of you for not insisting upon an override session [of Gov. Huntsman's HB 353 veto]... Your family values stance is a sham.
GP: Pictured: Gov. Huntsman, Rep. Morley, Utah Eagle Forum President Gayle Ruzicka, Thompson.
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Posted 02/09/10 at 03:51pm
DarkSaber: I think he just goes round the internet copy+pasting the same bollocks to get attention.
DarkSaber: I think he just goes round the internet copy+pasting the same bollocks to get attention.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:41pm
Valdearg: @DS: I have to admit, I chuckled when I saw the 4 Feb 2010 on that post.. >.<
Valdearg: @DS: I have to admit, I chuckled when I saw the 4 Feb 2010 on that post.. >.<
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:31pm
DarkSaber: Hm, Bioshock. Not that Zippy likes to beat the dead horse by ranting about it for TWO $&%£ING YEARS!
DarkSaber: Hm, Bioshock. Not that Zippy likes to beat the dead horse by ranting about it for TWO $&%£ING YEARS!
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:30pm
DarkSaber: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.173063-Bioshock-yet-another-zippy-rant
DarkSaber: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.173063-Bioshock-yet-another-zippy-rant
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:20pm
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
DarkSaber: Although, unsurprisingly, he's just being called an idiot alot and criticised for being as illegible as always.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:18pm
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
DarkSaber: Oh good lord, I just found Zippy on The Escapist.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:14pm
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Valdearg: IE: Male body/Female Mind or Female Body/Male Mind.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:13pm
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Valdearg: @Zip: TG == Transgendered/Transsexual.
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:09pm
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
DarkSaber: Forget it Zippy, it's an abbreviation of a big word and so would be wasted on you
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:07pm
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
ZippyDSMlee: Vlag:....TG?
Posted 02/09/10 at 03:02pm
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Valdearg: @DS: Im sure that's what they'd do if it wasn't legal to just tell Gays/TG's to "Screw off," just because they're who they are.
Posted 02/09/10 at 02:50pm
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
DarkSaber: Whoever told him/her/it that is dumb. They should have done like most companies and made-up some bullshit, yet legal, reason for it not getting the job.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:16pm
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:10pm
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:00pm
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:53pm
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
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Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
Good God, the man burns bridges with such speed!
I want to see how this turns out; God Willing, Jack will be barred from the state.
If Utah bans him from the state, I will move there the very nexy day.
We are watching a professional at work. He's turned bridge burning into an artform.
First secure an independent income, then practice virtue. -Greek Proverb
BURN THEM BRIDGES BABY!!!
eventually i'll be keeping warm by the flaming remains of his relevence.
I don't think this qualifies as burning anymore.
This is closer to scorched earth tactics with an extra large helping of napalm.
or drops a holy hand grenade on his own Worms
or a CONCRETE DONKEY (how appropriate...?)
LOL - It may be rainy here, but Jack will always put a smile on my face ;)
*******
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1907543
A small part of me actually sympathises with Jack here, it was a piccie of binkinis ffs, anyone offended by that in a position of power would be a damning indictment of the idiocy apparent within the political system. However, his reasoning behind it is even worse.
Check out my blog - http://serveratcapacity.blogspot.com
I don't sympathize.He sent that email with the sole purpose of offending the legislature into action. He wanted them to be disgusted. He wanted them to feel bad for looking at it. He wanted them to be appalled to think that kids were seeing that stuff. That was the only way he could think to get them to hold the override session.
If that is not obvious from his most recent email quoted here, then I am sorry that you cannot see it.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
Don't get me wrong EZK, I completely get that, I just know how I'd feel if some pillock was apologising on my behalf for sending something so mild. Then again I probably am just too far off Jackie's train of thought.
Check out my blog - http://serveratcapacity.blogspot.com
As I noted below, John Bruce is incapable of remorse. As such, just the thought that someone would want to apologize on his behalf offends him to no end. In his mind he is right and anyone who says otherwise is an idiot and a villian.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
Whic his why any court ordered apology form him would be hollow and worthless.
For isntance part of it woudl likely be "To al lthe gamers out there that I have offended, I apologize that you are all nothing but mouth breathing, basement dwelling, violent sleeper anget psychos with single digit IQs"
Basically, I don't want a forced apology out of him as we know it'd be insincere
I would, regardless of it's wording I'd know it chapped Thompsons ass to write. There should be multi-letters. None worded the same. If he screws that up and cheats, he's gotta do it again.
I suppose knowing it would kill to him to have ot apologize it'd be enough.
Are you daft, man!?
If he actually did that, he'd crash ALL of the world's internet servers in a single swoop!!!
No, he'd crash his own browser tryign to send to that many places and then keels calling people triumphantly claiming her shut down the internet.
He can't be bargained with....he can't be reasoned with....he will not stop until your fax machine is DEAD!!!
*******
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1907543
You, sir, get a cookie for that one! =D
(The Terminator reference moreso than the fax reference, ftr!)
I suppose the thing that will always make me laugh is that when he is including those images with his Emails, they are harmless and non-pornographic, and yet, when they are a part of one of those Video Games he so hates, all of a sudden they are evil, pornographic and corrupting our youth...
I agree, they might be offensive, but they sure aren't pornographic, but I simply cannot get any sympathy together for Jack because he's being so blatantly 2-faced about the whole thing, it's so so obvious now that this is about revenge, not any real belief on Thompson's part that these games are 'dangerous' in any way, even he admits that the images aren't harmful, and yet he still tries to hide behind an increasingly shredded tissue of lies.
On the face of it, yes, but as he included the image in order to show the shocking imagery involved in GTA, he doesn't really have that defence.
EDIT: should be noted that when I say shocking, I mean from Jack's perspective.
Which is why at least 2 of them were on vacation in Hawaii when they were wondering whether or not to try and over-ride the veto?
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Salt Lake City in Utah got it's name for a reason and does have a tourist industry, so... yeah, they likely have seen such attire.
The beaches are certainly man-made. ;) Tourism involves the Mormon Chapel and the slopes for skiing.
---- There is a limit for both politicians against video games, and video games against politicians. http://www.goteamretard.com
The salt lake is disgusting imo. Skiing is a much better draw.
You REALLY don't want to swim in that lake. Trust me on this.
I visited a friend in Utah, and the lake didn't even look like water. I knew it was a lake and could tell it was a liquid, but with all that salt, it just doesn't look like water. Besides, the ocean tastes terrible, as I learned from falling face-down in it as a kid, and with the salt concentration in that lake, I'd probably end up burning my tongue just to get rid of the taste.
"That's not ironic. That's justice."
Jack will try anything to further his cause...even if it means contradicting himself (OFTEN)
You should never sympathize with a man who would cheer when a school shooting happens.
The time for sympathy ended when he held charity money hostage from kids. That was nearly 5~6 years ago.
Let's hope that email was sent to Michael Waddoups as well; lawsuit on its way :D
Thompson truly is pathetic. It is his "family values" stance that is a sham, and now everyone's seeing him for what he truly is.
Why should the state of Utah waste time and money in these economic circumstances on an override session for two bills?
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra.
Well, so much for any chance of ever working on legislation in Utah ever again. He has officially burned all the bridges between himself and everyone in Utah.
How long till he does the same in Louisiana?
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
If I remember right, he already did, or at least soaked them in gasoline and has the torch lit.
Who wants to guess at the next state he tackles?
Hey EZK, you think this has an impact in Louisiana? Would Thompson's sponsor or any of the politicians have heard any word of what happened in Utah?
Translation of Thompson's "rebuttal"
"NO U!!!!1!1!!1"
Thompson should really be the one apologizing, then again, we should have had hoverboards and flying cars already.
And of course Thompson again demonstrated his complete in ability to take any blame himself and how is always oh so happy to force others to shoulder the blame if he can.
After this email, I doubt they'll be listening to him again
John Bruce feel remorse and apologize? What are you smoking. He proved to be incapable of remorse during his disbarment trial.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
Which is why I would never accept a forced apology from him, and since I know an apology form him will only happe nwhen pigs fly, I'll only listen when I see airborn swine out my window.
Airborn swine? I can arrange that, but I'd need your address and a pretty big catapult, and I don't think I'm allowed to ask for the former, and I doubt I'd be able to get the latter on a plane.
It's just a little airborne! It's still good!
we should have had hoverboards and flying cars already.
According to 'Back to the Future' we still have about 6 more years for those to show up. When Marty and Doc Brown when into the future they went to October 21, 2015 so there is still hope!
I've got my preorder for a "Mad Dog" already!
Still no word from the Utah Eagle Forum?
"My God, Bones. What have I done?"
This is going to be more and more the attitude of people having connected themseleves to the Traitor John Bruce.
Only, it won't be turning "death into a fighting chance to live". It'll be closer to asking a buddy to make nice with a Klingon and the buddy waltzing up to the Klingon and handing him a tribble.
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
In one of the letters Jack sent, it looked like a stern reply to Gayle Ruzicka but her initial message was chopped off. It would appear that she's not happy with Thompson's shenanigans, either.
Hey, Gayle, how's that whole Freedom Award you gave him working out for you? People tried to warn you about him, but you didn't listen.
Just so I've got this right...
If the images are found in games, to quote Jack:
"If you are offended by seeing this, as was Senate President Waddoups, then know that you should be more offended by the fact that Utah kids can buy the game in which there are repeated sexual encounters like this..."
However if you have to defend sending the images to people, to quote Jack:
"I sent you of two women in bikinis in a strip club. Sorry, Utahns, but you can see that on a beach."
Yeah, and honestly that is some of the most NSFW content I've found in the game. In fact I've never found it, I didn't even know you could get two strippers, and I couldn't care less really.
If you go for the "Warm Coffee" achievement you get an outside view of the girl's apartment while hearing about how interesting Nico is. Admittedly, picking up a prostitute is a little worse but really all you see is the prostitute on your lap fully clothed and moving a little while the car bounces.
-"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Yeah, you don't even get bonus health this time around.
BTW, you can get other women. One tells you you're very lucky. I forget about the other one.
"That's not ironic. That's justice."
Jack's pretty much that con/salesman that went around towns selling his "cure all remedies" which is pretty much the grandfather to infomercials today. Seriously, maybe Morley and the nutsos in the Eagle Forum should have taken five minutes to look up Jack Thompson's history before jumping into bed with him.
I'm glad Thompson burned his bridges like he did. I really hope that he starts realizing that there are a lot of mature gamers in Utah, and that number is only growing. What I also don't think he realizes that the politicians are also examining the reprecussions of any sort of legislation that would have done what he wanted, but then we'd be going back in a giant circle, debating his original bill.
Is Thompson, the outsider, getting pushed by the wayside? Yes. Is it because the world is out to get him? No, not at all. Thompson is not a constituent. And for him to have such a massive influence in my state's government in the first place is insulting.
Mr. Thompson, will you do me a favor next time? Move here, pay taxes, participate in state government, all in that order before trying to force your laws (of which weren't thought about hard enough) on me, my family, my friends, and my businesses in my city. Despite the idea of job growth being high in Utah, my city (a small one, though) is not seeing the benifits of that. Help the city, and the state tackle with other problems as a concerned citizen of Utah prior to trying to just get a foothold in federal politics by getting your agenda passed at a state level.
---- There is a limit for both politicians against video games, and video games against politicians. http://www.goteamretard.com
It's a sad day for your 'career' when your allies have to apologize for you antics. xD
Life begins and ends with Choice. Anything in your life that unlawfully or immorally steals Choice from you should be excised immediately, totally, and destroyed utterly.
This isn't sad for Jack, it's just another step in his Super Awesome Secret Plan. Everything is going exactly as Jack wants it. Our feeble gamer minds simply can't comprehend his grand vision.
oh, but of course! xD How could I forget the Super Awesome Plan. Silly me.
Life begins and ends with Choice. Anything in your life that unlawfully or immorally steals Choice from you should be excised immediately, totally, and destroyed utterly.
This certainly doesn't bode well for his chances in Louisiana. He's already burned quite a few bridges there, and I've no doubt that there are still some people there who remember him from last time. All one has to do is bring this up to anyone there to see how much of nutcase and a con man he is, and his bill's going to be torpedoed real quick.
And I have to agree with one of the previous posters; he sends a picture of two strippers in bikinis holding it up as an example of how offensive GTA is, then he turna around and says it isn't offensive? The mind boggles. Then again, everything JT does is mind-boggling to me.
As for his warning about clicking on links to videos, I think that is more appropriate for something like, say, the alternate ending for Drakengard. God, just thinking of it now makes me nauseous. Some things you just can't unsee.
Problem, Mr. Thompson (other than your blatent double-standard):
If you think that picture is pornographic, then you have to label every CSI or Law & Order show (and all their copycats) as pornographic too. I've lost count how many times we've seen the detectives in clubs.
Morley should consider himself lucky. Jack could have sent him gay porn like he did with that judge a while ago, or a condemning letter to Morley's mother ala Strauss Zelnick.
M. Carusi
Capitol Gaming
http://capitolgaming.blogspot.com
It's never too late for a shower of Jack-O's rain.
"What is really going on here is that I upset the Republican club that runs Utah, and those in that club are seizing upon this harmless image as a ruse to scold the outsider who unfortunately showed that some in Utah aren't serious about protecting children."
Again with the persecution complex, Jack? It's always everybody else's fault but your own.
I loved that bit ^_^
Now the concervative movement is conspiring against him too.
Its obviouse your not gonna win over the Utah congress if your only sponers is APOLIGIZING for your actions Jack.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Wow Jack, you just made even more enemies.
Sadly politicians are not allowed to have public enemies. Better to say he did not make any friends or land any future favors to call on.
You shouldn't use porn to promote your cause Jack. I feel like gamers are Jack Thompson's only friends.
If so, he must be the friend nobody likes.
When Spitzer was shown a copy of the picture an aide overheard him mutter "Lisa, Beth?"
He "couldn't care less", but cared enough to rebutt someone else's apology to complete strangers for his behaviour.
Riiight...
He thinks the Utahns are prudes because they were offended by what they can see "... on the beach", and yet he's using those images to promote the idea that the game is offensive.
Riiiight...
Y'know, everyone talks about how Rod Blagojovich is so self-unaware with no real conception or idea of what he's doing, but the reality is that Thompson has had that crown for years, and retains it.
How has the man not had an aneurism?
"How has the man not had an aneurism?"
Because he doesn't have a heart or a brain?
--------------------------------------------------
I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
Or da noive.
Jack is self distructive and imploding at a rather rapid rate. And we GAMERS are the unstable ones?
Please let Jack stay around guys, he is doing more for the GAMER cause than you realize. He makes us look like model citizens.
well on the bright side (for Jack Thompson) games DO cause people to go unstable...
People like Jack Thompson... so at least he has ONE proof of what he's claiming for years...
Isn't it ironic.... don't you think?
A little too ironic... and yeah I really do think...
As someone pointed out before: "...and those in that club are seizing upon this harmless image as a ruse to scold the outsider who unfortunately showed that some in Utah aren't serious about protecting children."
So... the legislators aren't serious about protecting children from a harmless image?
If you consider it harmless, why do you insist they do something about it? Why do you try to intimidate (side note for Thompson: You are about as intimidating as a timid chipmunk) the Utah AG into prosecuting retailers for supposedly making this harmless image available to minors, and threaten the AG with legal action if he does not?
Also: "To see more explicit material as to what is in the GTA IV game, you had to click on the two links I provided..."
So, what exactly is more 'explicit'? The pixelated lap dances? Something you can see a 'real' version of on at least one show on almost every mainstream network? And might I add, these networks do not require their viewers to go through any age verification process to view such content, not even a credit card check. Where is your rancor against these shows which display the exact same content you are so fanatically opposed to in video games, but do so with real people?
Keep burning those bridges to your lonely solo island of solitude, Jack...
WE SAULTE YOU! [/sarc]
Here's what I really want to know...
How many times can this guy get his ass kicked before he quits?
That's it, that's really my primary question when it comes to Thompson. How many times is this guy gonna have to get his ass handed to him before he realizes that maybe, just maybe he's wrong.
He reminds me of that joke my father told me when I was a youngster. It was about a woman who went to see her son in a marching band. They all seemed to be walking together except her son, and of course when the marching band had done their thing she went to see the conducter, very concerned, because she wanted him to be aware that everyone in the entire marching band was out of step. Except, of course, for her little Johnny who was marching perfectly in rhythm, all by himself.
How many times?
Here's a hint:
http://www.superdairyboy.com/Toys/Bop_Bags/Bozo_The_Clown.html
And it's just as fun to watch him bounce back up just so he can get knocked back down.
I also notice there's a "blank" version too.
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
as many times as it needs to until people finally do as he says (which is... never)
It's like watching the house of a neighbor you don't like burn to the ground, and the neighbor keeps throwing rocket fuel into the fire.
I'd say more like pouring half a glass of water on it and going "fire's out!" or grabbing a lawn gnome and sayign "saved a family heirloom"
Wait one. Did I read that correctly? Jack is attacking the utah republicians?! Wow, just... wow. The rest of the un-apology is his normal speel (if you only did what I said then I would be happy) but for jackie, who the conservative from hell, to attack Utah the place of his ego (ie his award) and his sponsor the eagle forum boggles the mind (at least mine).
I have to admit though I am almost impressed. Not many have the ego (or lack of sense) to go into a public forum and all but demand the apology of a state or at least the respectives becuase HE is right and they are wrong.
I swear jackie might have acutally slipped further down the evolutionary tree.
Now he is going subterrainian. He hit rock, but he is going to drill down as far as he can!
Exactly what is it about sex that pisses off Christians, anyway? I've never gotten an elegant, definitive answer on this. Seriously.
For most Christians it doesn't piss them off. They just view sex as a beautiful, private, and sacred thing shared between a couple... typically many Christians frown upon depicting sex as entertainment and just a past time. Truly they just believe it is a wonderful thing.
Extremists will go nuts and say all displays of anything sexual are bad.... then again Extremists will burn copies of Harry Potter because "it teaches kids witchcraft".
I remember someone coming up to me at lunch one day and shouting at me that I was going to Hell as Harry Potter is the Devil. I was wearing a Golden Snitch with its wings clipped and had a string through the holes left behind.
Sovereign, what fools you humans are!
-----------------------------
"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
People have a perfectly rational reason to be offended by sex. "Rational" in this case does not always mean "a basis most people can agree with". It's rational in the way that Bin Laden's goals to attack the US are rational...you can call him nuts, but you can see what his motives were.
Bunny is mostly correct, sex is seen as being trivialized in entertainment, but another reason is that irresponsible sex is more likely to happen than irresponsible violence.
GameSnooper
God this is pathetic....
I love his to-and-froing on whether or not GTA is pornographic. He sends a mail saying "look at the prongraphic material we need to protect kids from!" and when they are offended, it's suddenly become a non-pornographic image of 2 "clad women". I know for a fact as well, having played the damn game, that there is no worse or more explicit content in the game, so he's really shooting himself in the foot with this.
The rest of it is Jack by numbers. Anyone who disargrees with him or finds fault with his methods and ad hominem attacks is instantly decreed to be in the pocket of the video games industry...
It's hilarious as well how quick he spins from "Couldn't care less" to "outright attack on these people!". The man just can't stop lying.
" I am apalled by his use of what I view as pornographic images"
If so, then don't you think Thompson may have a point? If you're so apalled, then shouldn't you be maybe agreeing with Thompson? Also, you're not a child. Stop being "apalled" and "offended" by shit like this. Did you expect images like this to never show up, despite the fact the the bill was dealing with mature games being sold to kids? He even described what the images would be (although that's what he says, and he is a pathalogical liar).
And Thompson, stop sending boarderline pornography to legislators! That's like rule #1 of not pissing off people who you want to support you.
God, I really just want to punch everyone involved in this in the face...
--------------------------------------------------------
Believe in something! Even if it's wrong, believe in it! -Glenn Beck
Thing is, even Thompson admits that the images are harmless, which is kind of amusing, because it's more or less admitting that he knows there is no 'risk of harm' from the images, and is purely trying to get stuff restricted because it upsets his own personal sense of 'decency'.
So apparently, Thompson's goals move according to how much trouble he's in, I'll agree the legislators shouldn't really get up in arms about the pictures themselves, but it does pretty emphatically highlight the complete shammery of Thompsons' crusade.
No no jackie can still pull off the bit about getting points for killing prostitues. btw I still want My points for that. Where are my points?! What no points, well hell.
Remember though a rabble rouser does not need facts. Basically all he needs is a rabble and something to inflame them about. The truth tends not to be as effective as fiction in that regard, just look at Glenn Beck.
GAH! MY EYES!!!! Why did you say to look at Glenn Beck? It burns!!
"It could have been, should have been worse than you would ever know"
There is a diffrence between being appalled by something, and wanting to ban it.
And no, just because he is older, doesn't mean he has to not be offended by images like this. It is completly fine to not want to view stuff like this in your personal life, and you shouldn't expect to be spammed with it by a "Professional". Everyone has their limit of what they find acceptable. Mine is much more tolerant then it should be, but that doesn't mean EVERYONE must like it, I would be no better then Jack at that point...
Also, so what if he finds it offensive? I would hope that personal stuff like that doesn't get in the way of the Constitution... Just because he is offended by it, doesn't mean he should be ok with banning it.
I do agree with you that Thompson should stop sending that stuff to legislators. Most people KNOW whats out there man, and people choose not to view it. Let it be. You have the right to view it or not to, just like you have the right to play or not play video games. Let the PEOPLE choose. We don't need no "Big Brother" state looking over our shoulder telling us Yea or Nay.
P.S. Kudos to the Governor, never got to say it before. He has my vote... If I lived in Utah. Maybe he should come up here to Alaska... I would be suprised if Palin doesn't have some serious challnges ahead.
Personally, I think all these idiots deserve each other.
Difference is, when you buy the game, you choose to confront those images whereas being Email-bombed by someone who is supposed to be a professional is another matter.
Kind of interesting how these images are 'terrible and depraved' when he posts them and 'harmless' when he's told off for it ;)
It was the same thing when he sent gay porn to that judge.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
Utah: Mr. Thompson, we want our Freedom Award back, inmediatly.
Jack: Mmm, OK, take it, I don´t care anymore.
Utah: Well, thanks Mr. Thompson, and, wait... This is a box filled with gay porn!
Jack: (inside a cannon): LOLOLOL, you never get me alive, duurr...
(cannon explodes and launches Jack toward the skies)
Utah: Well, at least he is gone... oh god, where are all the bridges now?
Well, I hope that at least the next time somebody is planning another anti-game legislation, don´t invite Jack to their state again, any state.
The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/
You see guys, Jack is all about living in the moment. Sure, he might say he doesn't care at all about what they say, and then go and send an email to every single one of them, but it's because he's carefree! He doesn't need to worry about what he said 10 minutes ago, because it doesn't matter anymore!
Although, I do give him two thumbs up for using 'couldn't care less' correctly. Every time someone says 'could care less' I want to smack them in the face.
Ummm guys... I do not know if you noticed something HUGE here, or not. But Jack Thompson said the images he sent were not "pornographic" . However, in his ORGINAL E-Mails to the Utah leaders, did he not say they were considered pornography for children? I mean, the man just contridicted himself big time. He's fighting to get such things banned from games, yet he himself admits they are NOT pornographic... just two girls in bikinis. *scratches her head* It could be me... but this is a HUGE boo boo on his part in his crusade. If any other lawmakers see such statements, could this mean he will lose creditbility amongst them? That he does not know the true meaning of pornography? But hey... what do I know, right?
-Nicole
This guy set a speed record for contradicting himself...and for losing allies.
You know, the more he pulls stunts like this, the less credability he will have for trying to pass such bills and create nonsense. If he were a smart man, he would know when to hold his tongue, and not to click his mouse. But thankfully, he is what he is. I mean, if anyone is Louisiana read this, or knew what happened in Utah, that Bill would not move an inch.
Personally, I would not want anyone under 18 to play GTA... but that is not my job. It is not the government's job, it is not Jack Thompson's job. It is the job of the PARENTS to be PARENTS, and monitor what their children play, watch on TV, or read. Video games are not babysitters, and the Government is not your child's parent, that's the person who brought them into this world's job. But until people realize this, tax payer's oney will be wasted on bills like Jack Thompson's, and others. I mean, people need to take resposibility! Sheesh! *goes into her dark corner, now*
Jack somehow always finds someone willing to listen to him and overlook his evident past. That´s how Utah bill happened recently.
Now they are even repented after the whole process that only Jack Thompson´s experience can offer to human knowledge.
The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/
Okay, I'm confused here. Does anyone have a copy of the original email he sent? Because apparently he's claiming the email only had some women in bikinis, while the links he put in the email went to somewhere where the really pornographic stuff was.
It might just more Jack bullishit.
If I remember correctly the email had a couple of links to videos on Youtube of GTA with the strippers and prostitutes.
http://blogs.sltrib.com/utahpolitics/2009/04/how-not-to-help-your-cause.htm
Today, the disbarred Florida attorney sent another plea, this time to Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, asking the state's No. 2 to intervene and do what he can to push for a veto override session.
That seems exceedingly unlikely. Lawmakers were polled earlier this month and voted to not override the governor's veto on the bill.
What was possible, however, was considering the video game bill during a special session that legislators have asked for in May. But Thompson's ceaseless barrage of emails, many of which have contained examples of the kind of filth in video games that didn't sit well with Utah's conservative standard bearers, have crushed any chance of that happening.
House Majority Leader Kevin Garn said there's no chance legislative leaders will include the video game bill in their agenda for the special session.
"I think [Thompson] has damaged that cause to the point that the Legislature doesn't even want to deal with it now," said Garn.
==================
Another fine example of Miami Jack shooting himself in the foot. I guess this pretty much closes the book on this bill.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra.
"Eagle Forum president Gayle Ruzicka shook her head last week when talking about Thompson's tirades, saying it is unfortunate and that he doesn't understand how things are done in Utah."
Even THEY are growing weary of him.
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
But I don't think it's fair from Gayle Ruzkica to single out Thompson for "not understanding how things are done in Utah".
I mean, has Thompson ever understood how things are done anywhere ever?
LOL:
"Oh my god! This is how we look when we try to take away another people´s rights? We deserve to be hated".
The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/
You know, when Rizicka starts thinking you are too extreme, you really should be taking a long hard look at your life ;)
It's not just Utah, he doesn't understand how things are done in Florida either, or the legal system in general.
He doesn't know LAW at all!
how the hell did he got his license in the first place!?
You don't have to be rational to score a 90% on the bar exam.
-Gray17
Utah, Florida, legal system...
I think Jack doesn't know even the basics of being a good, decent, polite, responsible, moral person. This tirade is so wrong in so many ways- and it's the latest in a long line of misdeeds on his part.
We all know that Jack can't let things rest when he catches even a slight hint that someone doesn't agree with him 200%. I expect Gayle Ruzicka to be caught in Jack's sights.
This could get ugly.
And ugly is entertaining. :)
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
Email settings-->block sender--> Jack Thompson-->Problem solved
Also, do people not proof read emails anymore?
These are people who think the universe is 6000 years old and that sexuality is evil. Expecting them to understand email settings is unreasonable. (yes, this post is full of generalizations, deal with it)
Actually pretty much everyone over 40 who never built a Tandy IBM-PC probably won't understand email settings.
Anyone who isn't pants-on-head retarded should understand email settings. Most people, even old people, aren't too dumb to understand it, but rather they are too lazy to learn.
--------------------------------------------------------
Believe in something! Even if it's wrong, believe in it! -Glenn Beck
Not sure if you are still following this but here goes:
The majority of people living in Utah are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So I will be speaking as a member of that church. These views do not represent Christianity as a whole.
We do not believe that the universe is only 6000 years old. We understand that everything in the universe has existed for billions of years. How many exactly? We are just as clueless as the scientists. Our scriptures actually tell us that the universe and matter has existed ofr essentially 'forever'. We do believe that mankind has existed for roughly 6000 years based on the history contained in the Bible. Take that how you want.
As for sexuality, it is not evil. In fact it is a good thing. But it is also sacred and should be treated like all sacred things. We beilieve that people should treat their bodies with respect and do the same for others. We believe that sex should only be between a man and a woman who have been lawfully married. We believe that pornography blatantly disrespects the human body and sexuality. That is why it is evil and should be avoided.
That said, as a church we do not feel that people should be compelled to follow these guidelines. People should be free to choose what they do. But as people, we can often get carried away and get a little to fanatical (for a lack of a better word) in our beliefs and create issues like this bill. But the church does not support it.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
I agree with you there.
With certain family members who are more dedicated to religion than I am, I can tell that they do not always revert to that sort of generalization that others so often do in the mainstream public eye.
Not all religious people are fanatics, and not all believe that the earth was only around for only 6,000 years.
At the same time, scientests are not always right in their conclusions but so are religious people too.
We can only talk about what we do know, and sometimes what we do know can only be summed up by the data we have until we gather new evidense.
But I can say something too, if it were not for a few members of the christian gaming and also a few members of my external family, I might have thought that all religious people were like JT.
So yeah, perhaps we should not judge people because of the acts of a few idiots.
Same thing with gamers, we are not all idiots like the people portray us on the mainstreem news media, but there are some times when we all can be a little fanatical and annoyed by other people.
Jacky Boy never proff raeds anithing if yu weree too looc at all his messaeges 99% are horribli(sic) misspelled. And he's supposed to be some kinde of collage eductaed person.
Well, I hope they accept Morley's apology (although he's hardly to blame for Thompson's antics).
Jack should write another book: "How to offend and lose your allies in three emails or less." This would sell marginally better than the first.
i'm no book hater, in fact i read a LOT of books...
but that one needs burning
I hope you got the reference.
i do...
it's just that joke or not, any book he writes is trash and is only good for burning
After he writes "How To Lose Your Law License".
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra.
Heres over 9000 (Utah Videogame law post-mortem edition)
Mike morely: Waddups what does the scanner say about JT's pron level
Mike Waddups: IT'S over 9000(breaks scanner while at it)
Morely: What, 9000
Watching JT on GP is just like watching an episode of Jerry springer only as funny as the fights
I guessed before that Jack was capable of pissing off even fellow right-wing conservatives who could easily be his allies in his crusade.
I never thought that he would do it so spectacularly.
Question: Until now, why hasn't anyone sued Jack for stuff like this? I'm not referring to legal disciplining and disbarment, I mean suing him for insulting you publicly and unapologetically (libel? slander? being an a-hole?). What he just did is say that the people in the Utah government are all immoral liars. If I was one of them, whether honest or dishonest, fanatical or reasonable, I certainly wouldn't allow him to besmirch my name or office.
I admit it'd be dignifying Jack Boy's rants, but- really- someone should put him in his place. Jack Bruce Thompson really has to learn that there are consequences for one's deeds, especially malicious and irresponsible ones, if not for his good but for the good of us all.
It baffles me as well. The only reason that makes sense to me is that Jack has such a soiled reputation now that people feel that suing him is a waste of time. Plus, he would likely go batshit crazy if he was sued and cause more grief and harrassment towards that party that it isn't worth it.
However, with his pathological behavior, it has to happen someday...
It's possible they are trying to ignore him because he is bad news currently. That's propably the reason why they don't want to bother with governor's veto. Cleaning this mess up and waiting for the dust to fall is best choice right now.
And if some people want to make their own version of that law, it's more easy to try again next year, when people have forgotten this mess.
People have sued him. Norm Kent won a $10,000 award against Thompson during Thompson vs. Florida Bar round 1.
I think most people just want Thompson out of their lives, and filing a lawsuit against him will only serve to INCREASE the bullying "press releases" and e-mail spam attacks that he's capable of. It's obvious Thompson doesn't listen to judges' orders, but you'd think one of them would have manned up and cited him for contempt of court.
This is why any time someone comes in to a forum and says, "You should just ignore Thompson and he'll go away," it's obvious they don't know what they're talking about. Everyone has tried to ignore Thompson and in doing so, the are culpable in this growing problem. He never stopped harrassing his targets and he used it as gusto to add more people to his list.
If ignoring him only makes the Thompson problem worse, then suing him is definitely the right course of action. Wouldn't him applying his bully tactics against you only strengthen your case, or give you reason to sue him again for harrassment? That he does it by e-mail or telephone, and often, only makes gathering evidence for your case easier.
I understand that this guy can really lay on the emotional abuse, but the more he does his thing, the more reason you give the courts to decide in your favor. At a certain point, if he just doesn't stop, the court will really have to throw the book at him. The more chances he has to completely ignore judges and court orders, the more likely someone will place him under contempt, complete with jail time.
Honestly, I don't think people should sue him just to give him more rope to hang himself with. I think people should sue him for the distress he has dealt and the disrespect he's shown. Most of the people he has attacked and insulted deserve justice- and so does Jack Boy.
Besides- by now, his list of "enemies" is so long, I doubt he has the time or energy to harrass all or most of them (just the most recent ones). Even he can't be manic enough to do it. I'm guessing his old "foes", like the NIMF, don't hear from him any more.
Wow. WOW.
Just WOW
As others have said, this isnt bridge burning, this is total, unreserved scorched earth.
Jack is out of Utah for the rest of his days.
lol
Well the image of a computer generated male getting a lap dance from two computer generated strippers is not really pornagraphic, but it sure can offend allot of people in political power.
But to say that it should be banned from Videogames is going a bit too far.
All I can say is, that the USA Videogame Market should just apply the AO18+ rating to be sold commercially, or else the developers and the ESRB will just have to deal with the rating limits and what some would consider as AO18+ material gets in with an M17+ rating because that is as high as a comercially sold game can handle.
Also I have seen the movie "The Girl Next Door" and it was a movie that was rated MA15+ by Australia's OFLC and it has a brief 1 minute of lap dancing in it, as well as another movie StripTease or even ShowGirl that got passed with a similar mature rating back 10 years ago and that also featured bare breasts and lap dancing.
So really, I can't see anything wrong with the lap dancing except that people with a brain should be smart enough NOT to send it to all the politicians in Utah unless if they are looking for real trouble.
Maybe it is because these older people's head's explode every time they see such a scene because when they were growing up society was allot more conservative and also, a little more bad in other areas, and sadly we are dealing with what one man sees as offensive another 10 or 20 people think it is not really that much of a fuss at all.
Simple rule, Mature rated games are not really meant to be played by kids.
But it is not really adult rated at all too.
So, I'm confused.
Is the game "pornography" or isn't it?*
Jack has been going on and on and on about the "pornographic hyperviolent GTAIV" for what seems like forever now. Then when he sends out an e-mail with the examples of the "porn" he backpedals and says it's not pornography.
You can't haven't both ways, Jack. Either you sent porn to the Utah legislators or the game isn't porn.
*note: I realize the game is not pornographic, nor does it meet the legal definition of such. I'd just love to see Thompson clarify his idiocy.