Jack Tompson Looks To Ban Video-Games

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

I dont know where else to post this but, This miami attorney looks to have violent video-games banned... And i think BF2 falls into the catogory of violent, so not entirely random... I suggest that you voice your opinion because this guy is a *****... his email is jackpeace@comcast.net

This is the email i sent him and below is his reply, and no i am not making this up.... GOD IM SOOOOO ****ING ANGRY!!!

Dear Mr.Thompson ,
Although I think that this will probably never reach your desk...

Let me start off by introducing myself, my name is Jared Erikson. I
am a Deputy at the Information Technology Division of InterPol. I am
also a 42 year old parent of a 16 year old girl. While not of the
norm she plays video-games, while mainly of the sport type(she loves
baseball), she also has a few titles of a violent nature. Some of
these include Halo, Halo 2, the entire Grand Theft Auto series, and a
few that are not coming to mind at the moment. As most concerned
parents are aware of at the moment is the issue of 'Hot Coffee', a
modification to GTA: San Andreas.

Since our family owns a Xbox, I have no worries that she will see
pornographic material on our tele. While I am afraid to believe that
I am sure that she has done worse with her boyfriend. I know you are
probably thinking "You are letting your 16 year old daughter play this
wretched game!!??". Well yes, and I in fact play this game too, it is
odd to see it from the other side, being a police officer myself. I
also do not see any violent personas that are taking over my daughter.
In this "Hot Coffee" patch, you apparently are allowed to have sex
with your girlfriend. Being that I have beaten this game I have not
been able to do that with the NORMAL retail game. I can see how this
is a huge boost for all of the people who, like you, want all video
games banned. While this is in the U.S., my country likes to make law
whatever the U.S. does, so this will affect me in the long run. I am
sure that you have never spent one second with this game, much less
seen it in action. Since you haven't played it that would also mean
you have never seen the disc or read the 'End User License Agreement'
that you have to agree to in the PC version. On the Playstation 2
version, the disc clearly says that you may not reverse engineer the
product and it also says the same in the PC version. While Rockstar
Games said that it is part of the code, it is not a simple code that
you can enter to view this, you have to change the software(which I
remind you is illegal) in order to see the Sexual scene. So it is in
fact the user's fault, and that they have to enter the code
themselves, they are not asked to do so. So they are infringing what
the Publisher, Developer, Manufacture have asked the user not to do.
Although it is said and done now and it has been pulled off the
shelves, it helps to see the REALITY.

While reading around on you site is saw, and I quote,
"Dateline NBC reported Friday, December 13, 2002, that the Beltway
Sniper, John Lee Malvo, was compelled by John Muhammad to train on the
sniper video game, Halo, switched to sniper-mode or God-mode, to
suppress his inhibition to kill.""

Firstly I would like to clear up one issue, this is not a 'sniper'
game as said above, merely another tactic used by the slanted media to
put the public in fear. While you may be able to snipe, it is not the
main focus of the game, as that headline may lead the public, or
anyone that reads your site, to believe. I would wish you change
this. Also the mention of the 'god mode' is only available to people
with Modified Xboxes, this is very illegal. But, another thing that
is very wrong, "suppress his inhibition to kill". I have played both
of these games through and through, and I am sure you haven't. This
has not even in one second made me want to kill anyone less than I did
when I was a baby. I am also faced with the possibility that I may
have to take life one day, while I work at a computer most of the
day, that does not mean I don't carry a weapon on me at all times.

People who kill because of video-games have more problems than
video-games, probably in some kind of unnatural mental state. Another
thing I had a problem with was "trained on Doom", there is no way
shooting on a video game is like real life. Being that I go to the
range every day, and then go home and occasionally play games like
Doom, I can't even compare. I am sure if you went back in time and
tested them they would have some mental problems.

Also
"In the statement, Thompson says, "Sims 2, the latest version of the
Sims video game franchise ... contains, according to video game news
sites, full frontal nudity, including nipples, penises, labia, and
pubic hair.""
I like the fact that well you didn't get your facts straight, maybe
some research or general knowledge in the matter would help.

One More Thing...
"Thompson this afternoon updated his earlier statement, saying he is
aware certain mods only remove "the blur," but adds that "Electronic
Arts has done nothing about this." Thompson's new conclusion: EA is
"cooperating, gleefully, with the mod community to turn Sims 2 into a
porn offering.""

Electronics Arts Inc. cannot remove sites offering the malicious code
that you speak of, sorry.

While you think that all of this is getting you good publicity, you
are in fact making a $9.8Billion industry hate you, and not to mention
making people want to buy these games so much more. While I believe
that game rating should be followed more closely, i.e. M(17+) should
not be sold to minors. The whole video-games are the devil thing that
you are implying is well... the devil.

Thank You for reading This, And I will send it every day until i receive a reply

Sincerely,
Jared J. Erikson

His Reply

Jack Thompson
to me
Hide options 4:22 am (13 hours ago)
From: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>
To: Jared Erikson <spartangov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 25, 2005 4:22 AM
Subject: Re: My Problems With Video Game Violence

get a divorce before you have any more kids, please

who the **** would write that!!!!

GAMERS UNITE!!!!

[vulcan]

Wow...The qualifications to be a lawyer in Miami must be low.

Did he get his degree by mailing in coupons ?

Long live democracy and freedom of choice !

[Lt.Phillips]

Itll never happen. Violent video games are too big of an industry to cold turkey.

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

lets go find him, and make sure he knows better than to insult people with such harsh and cruel statements

[Lt. Falco]

Itll never happen. Violent video games are too big of an industry to cold turkey.

Yup, alot of money to be made on VGs...

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Scoggs']
His Reply

Jack Thompson
to me
Hide options 4:22 am (13 hours ago)
From: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>
To: Jared Erikson <spartangov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 25, 2005 4:22 AM
Subject: Re: My Problems With Video Game Violence

get a divorce before you have any more kids, please

who the **** would write that!!!!

GAMERS UNITE!!!!
WTF, he replied to you like that? What a ****er...

EDIT- Since when is ****er a bad word?

[}GC{blastokid]

The economy of US would drop to around the economy of Iraq right now if Violent Video Games were to be banned.

God Bless Retarted People!

Here's an idea: Let's ban cheese! So many people love it, but hell, who needs cheese!

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

yea thats what i have been saying since i got it...

im not telling you guys what to do but you should send him an email with your thoughts..

and saying that they cant ban violent video games is not entierly true... if you have been following the news lately, GTA:San Andreas has been pulled off the shelves

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

The economy of US would drop to around the economy of Iraq right now if Violent Video Games were to be banned.

God Bless Retarted People!

Here's an idea: Let's ban cheese! So many people love it, but hell, who needs cheese!
LOL! That's kinda harsh, but sadly true. our entire damn civilization relies on the needs of kids that like to blow things up on a small screen

[bam23]

Scoggs']
His Reply

Jack Thompson
to me
Hide options 4:22 am (13 hours ago)
From: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>
To: Jared Erikson <spartangov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 25, 2005 4:22 AM
Subject: Re: My Problems With Video Game Violence

get a divorce before you have any more kids, please

What a jackass.

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Scoggs']yea thats what i have been saying since i got it...

im not telling you guys what to do but you should send him an email with your thoughts..

and saying that they cant ban violent video games is not entierly true... if you have been following the news lately, GTA:San Andreas has been pulled off the shelves
Wait, you're kidding... He actually replied to you like that?

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

What a jackass.
exactly...the fact that he actually helped get GTA:San Andreas banned just boils my blood...bloody ****er...

[Pvt.Caboose]

we need to put a ban on stupid mother ****ers like him...

[GatorDawg]

Long live the nanny state!

Zeig heil!

[bam23]

Plus, it's rude and unprofessional of him to say something like that. If he's looking to get support for his cause, that is not the way to do it.

[}GC{blastokid]

Damn, I really gotta get me Cracker Jacks in Florida! Maybe I'll become a lawyer too!

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Damn, I really gotta get me Cracker Jacks in Florida! Maybe I'll become a lawyer too!
ROFL, I got a law degree in a box of CrackerJacks!!

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

Cataclysm']Wait, you're kidding... He actually replied to you like that?

i wish i were kidding.... So.... ANGRY....URGE TO KILL...rising....RISING

[}GC{blastokid]

We should ban lawyers in Florida.

Video Games don't make people want to kill people,
Lawyers in Florida make people want to kill people.

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Scoggs']i wish i were kidding.... So.... ANGRY....URGE TO KILL...rising....RISING
Calm down, let's get you off those evil games and you'll live in blissful harmony. :rolleyes:

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

We should ban lawyers in Florida.

Video Games don't make people want to kill people,
Lawyers in Florida make people want to kill people.


lol so true

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

Cataclysm']Calm down, let's get you off those evil games and you'll live in blissful harmony. :rolleyes:
I think it's a bit late for that...and it's not the evil video games that make the urge to annihilate stronger...it's the fact that Thompson's an *** for saying something like that without saying anything else

[IH8MACS]

Lets focus on a more important issue, OBESITY. What is the cause of this nation-wide epidemic? it is somethin that we must ban, ...SPOONS! We need to ban spoons, especially the really big ones, because they're making our country fat. And after that, we'll ban FORKS! so that the population of the morbidly obese would decrease!
Who's with me?!


...ya

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Let's spam his inbox and make sure every letter finishes with:

Subject: Re: My Problems With Video Game Violence

get a divorce before you have any more kids, please

who the **** would write that!!!!

[Footshot]

get a divorce before you have any more kids, pleaseWhat kind of professional says things like that? Either the email address is fake or he's just a ****ing asswipe. I'm going with the asswipe option cause that's what he really is.

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Lets focus on a more important issue, OBESITY. What is the cause of this nation-wide epidemic? it is somethin that we must ban, ...SPOONS! We need to ban spoons, especially the really big ones, because they're making our country fat. And after that, we'll ban FORKS! so that the population of the morbidly obese would decrease!
Who's with me?!


...ya

ROFL, BAN SPOONS!!

[-]DoD[-Dr.Tran]

If that's his response, maybe you should post that publicly (more public than this site)...The reason the media is so slanted and so ignorant, is because idiots have big mouths and little intelligence. They go onto news stations and use their big mouths. Stand up...find a way to show his response to the public.

[Footshot]

Yea, you mind if I post this on some other forums? I'm sure it would cause quite a stir.

[InsaneX]

holy crap

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

Here is his website...

Jackass Thompson (http://www.stopkill.com/)

I like that...
stupid ******* telling ME to get a devorce... hes prolly mad because i get laid... once in a while

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Scoggs']he's prolly mad because i get laid... once in a while
lolzerskates

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

Yea, you mind if I post this on some other forums? I'm sure it would cause quite a stir.


hell no, i mean he told me to get a divorce!!!

oh and sry for double post

[ypn]

What a loser...banning violent video games won't happen though.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

What a loser...banning violent video games won't happen though.

well try to go buy GTA:San Andreas at you local game store.... the end is near...

well at least i hope not... a lot of angry americans is a bad thing, especially if it is of the teenage lot. I see a second revolution coming

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

Scoggs']well try to go buy GTA:San Andreas at you local game store.... the end is near...

well at least i hope not... a lot of angry americans is a bad thing, especially if it is of the teenage lot. I see a second revolution coming
I heard that

[[LG]Cataclysm]

I didn't, I read it.

I'mma fire off a letter to this scumbag, is it OK if I quote the reply he gave you?

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

Cataclysm']I didn't, I read it.

I'mma fire off a letter to this scumbag, is it OK if I quote the reply he gave you?


no for fuure info guys, if you want to use any of the stuff i put on this post its fine by me... IM SOOOO ANGRY AHHH!!!!

[Gunslinger145]

Lets focus on a more important issue, OBESITY. What is the cause of this nation-wide epidemic? it is somethin that we must ban, ...SPOONS! We need to ban spoons, especially the really big ones, because they're making our country fat. And after that, we'll ban FORKS! so that the population of the morbidly obese would decrease!
Who's with me?!


DOWN WITH SPOONS! DOWN WITH SPOONS! DOWN WITH SPOONS!

[TheInvisibleMan]

Scoggs']
His Reply

Jack Thompson
to me
Hide options 4:22 am (13 hours ago)
From: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>
To: Jared Erikson <spartangov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 25, 2005 4:22 AM
Subject: Re: My Problems With Video Game Violence

get a divorce before you have any more kids, please



Here's more from Mr. Thompson... http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/industry-news/q-a/index.php

and: http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=194000

Scroll down a bit...

Is this guy a loser of what? "no, but thanks. i’m too busy destroying best buy and rockstar"

Who the f#ck does this guy think he is?

He either:

a) Was molested as a child by his father and hates the world
b) Was rejected by every girl in town when he was growing up
C) Was PWND by his neighbors kid on Counter-Strike, so now he hates video games
d) Was told by his teachers that he gives them 'allergies'
e) All of the above.

Honesty, what kind of *** is this guy?

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

I vote for option E

[imported_element]

What a jackass.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

i would have to say option (E)For All Of The Above


DoD[-Dr.Tran'] Stand up...find a way to show his response to the public.

umm could someone help me with that?
I have no real way to submit it

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

Lets focus on a more important issue, OBESITY. What is the cause of this nation-wide epidemic? it is somethin that we must ban, ...SPOONS! We need to ban spoons, especially the really big ones, because they're making our country fat. And after that, we'll ban FORKS! so that the population of the morbidly obese would decrease!
Who's with me?!


...ya
but then what about the thin, and the only slightly meaty?!? they'd die out of starvation!!!!

[Lt. Falco]

Voted for E, but I really like the C option...

Q: Honesty, what kind of *** is this guy?

A: He`s an attention whore ********..

[Spookie]

Get this in a PC Mag imo, they would take him to bits.

[RandomCommando91]

how about y'all just get together and kill nome negros!

[[LG]Cataclysm]

Scoggs']i would have to say option (E)For All Of The Above




umm could someone help me with that?
I have no real way to submit it
LOL, get the ACLU to sue him for causing "Extreme and irreversible mental anguish" those ACLU asshats'll sue over anything.


Other then that, IDK

[BigBadBob]

I don't see why people have problems with GTA and other games. Yes, they aren't meant for children, but they shouldn't be able to get them. That's the parents responsibility.

For most people (read: not mentally defective) GTA is just a game. May even help relieve stress. Who plays GTA and gets the idea that it's ok to run around gunning down police, stealing multiple cars every day, running people over with thier cars?

IT'S A GAME!!

Just like BattleField 2, i play it and enjoy it. But i don't get the urge to run around in camo, stalking people and slicing them up, or planting explosives in vehicles and waiting for someone to get in.

[DeathGiver]

This thread takes me back to when tipper gore tried to ban dirty music like twisted sister for its lyrics and what not. I can name a few games that caused controversy. As for banning video games hell no! How would EA make their money to steal from us?

1. The first Doom
2. Mortal Kombat
3. Carmageddon
4. Grand Theft Auto Series
5. Night trap

[scibbers]

just a random comment....I see more violence and crime on the 6pm news than in most of the video games that I play....(inc GTA)

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

hahaha night trap... wow never thought i would hear of that again

just a random comment....I see more violence and crime on the 6pm news than in most of the video games that I play....(inc GTA)

i agree

[[LG]Cataclysm]

just a random comment....I see more violence and crime on the 6pm news than in most of the video games that I play....(inc GTA)
BAN THE 6:00 NEWS!!

[Nikko]

This is rediculous. There is a fairly new rating system in place already. Movies that have violence in them and are rated would have to go as well if you have logic like this moron. I wouldn't worry so much, kids. This will never happen.

[Ace101]

moved to general gaming

[Lt. Falco]

Cataclysm']BAN THE 6:00 NEWS!!

No, we can`t have that. How will the attention whores like Thompson spread their message?

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

moved to general gaming

oh umm sry... didnt kno there was a forum for that

[-=B.A.=-nmbr1sniper]

maybe some inraged gamer will let their anger out by sniping him...since i guess thats what us violent gamers do..

[GlobalFear]

Hey. I dug around a little and was able to find some more contact info for you scoggs. :cool:

Jack Thompson
1172 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite 111
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Phone: 305-666-4366
Email: jackthompson@attbi.com
Email: jackpeace@comcast.net (You have this one)

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

hey thanx alot man... i think it would be funny to have the entire BF2 comunity go against this guy...

And it would be better for someone to shoot him and yell "I HATE VIDEO GAMES"

[toXicRabbit]

If video games confuses us with real life, we would all be running around in city blocks wrecking havoc already. In short, PAC MAN would influence us to run around in darkened room eating magic pills. (yeah stole that phrase somewhere xD)

i bet he's jealous he didn't get to play games when he's young. or lack parental love. it'll be nice to get the whole CS community to know about this greatest lawyer of the century. \o/

[[sCs]Captain_Obvious]

Get a life.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

hmm well anyone with CS connection to a forum there???

this is an email i wrote just a second ago, well see his response... i was actualyl mean this time sry for language

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I was glad when I saw your email in my inbox. But when I read its contents I was/am very angry. Why would you write that? I have done nothing to offend you, but yet you tell me to get a divorce?? Now for a man that has been married for 17 years this is very offensive. I wish that you would write back with a reason to why you have done this. My points were very logical and truthful, but yet you can't come back and explain your side? I am trying my best not to swear at you, or be an *******. But really why would you do that?


I am looking forward to your response...

J. Erikson
--

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

Scoggs']hey thanx alot man... i think it would be funny to have the entire BF2 comunity go against this guy...

And it would be better for someone to shoot him and yell "I HATE VIDEO GAMES"
I can totally see that happening, as most likely the entire GTA community has already gone against him

[GlobalFear]

No problem on the info.

Post his response when you get it. ;)

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

No problem on the info.

Post his response when you get it. ;)
yeah, we're all eagerly waiting for it ^^

[navyseal2413]

report him to the Florida Lawyer's BAR

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

report him to the Florida Lawyer's BAR
yeah, what he said!

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

i will post his response, thats if i get one...

also i wrote a letter to MSNBC, i doubt ill get anything back but worth a try...

and I dont know how i would write to the Florida BAR... ill look

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

Scoggs']i will post his response, thats if i get one...

also i wrote a letter to MSNBC, i doubt ill get anything back but worth a try...

and I dont know how i would write to the Florida BAR... ill look
they better respond if they know whats good for the world...lol :D

[imported_Davis]

I did not bother reading the article. This has been suggested before by several other's, not here, but within the media. This guy will get no where and violent games are no different than watching Marry Poppins or Full Metal Jacket.

[N2K]

you tell him if he wants games banned, then we should ban gun...before one of us end up shooting him

[Shroom420]

I'm going to go on a killing spree and blame it on him because he wants to ban video games. Then he will be screwed

[L3adcannon]

God bless Europe and my country where game ratings dont mean s*it :D

Altho after i quit playin BF2 earlier today, i got a sudden urge to stab my brother...weird...

Seriously, what is it with these ppl who want to ban smthing. If u dont like it, dont use it, and dont let ur kids use it. But ffs, dont ruin others fun

[Footshot]

I've already posted this on a few forums, if someone has an account on Gamespot, IGN or any other big name videogame site I suggest you post this on one of their boards. If this gets out then Jackass Thompson will be in big trouble.

[Bravo Six]

Why I am not suprised it's Thompson. Thompson is the most retardedly extreme anti-game activist I have ever seen. I can't believe anyone takes him seriously at all, this man wants to ban Sims 2 because you can remove the pixelation on the nude sims. Under the blurr the sims have doll bodies, with no real anatomy. Yet Thompson calls this pornography and I quote "like Hot Coffee, only worse" because the blur is removed from the child sims aswell.

To the original poster:
You should send Thompson's response to you to Gamespot, so that they may post it on their site and show the world how crazy Thompson really is. I still cant believe he said that.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

yea i looked around on gamespots website, but i could not find a way to reach them, although i contacted the
Florida BAR
Attack of the Show(show on G4tv)
MSNBC

so if someone could help me find a way to get in contact with gamespot that would be incredibly helpful

[<AWOL>Manoe]

See, the thing is this. Adults do not want to admit that all of the problems our country faces today begin in the home. Parents have become lazy and the fact that discipline is nothing like it use to be lets kids get away with anything they want. Kids need to be shaped or trained if you will. They need to be taught what is right and what is wrong. I see this every day. I look at parents being hit by thier child who is 3 or 4 and not doing anything to them except threatening to take away thier candy or tell them if they dont stop they will go home.

I never once thought about hitting my mother or father. There is a level of respect that myself and my friends had and still have for our parents that is absent in many families today. Granted, the majority of families have both parents working 40 + hours to get by.

If this is ever going to change it will not be because of laws or tougher punishments. It will have to start at the root of the problem... With the Parents taking responsibility for thier children and thier actions... Actually being parents to the children they brought into this world. It has nothing to do with what they watch or what they play. I can tell you right now that I did more stupid crap than most kids today growing up but I never EVER thought about loading a weapon and killing kids at school because they made fun of me for something.

Crazy world we live in today. I fear that this is only the beginning of worse things to come...

[DeadlyMACD]

I've read replies from Jack Thompson that are much worse. He makes an a** out of himself. In an interview with CBS (I think) he practically threatened Game CEOs saying that a "Columbine times 10" will occur. Telling them to watch out because some wacked out gamer will come to kill them, and make them realize what they are doing. He seemed to look forward to it happening.

[Pvt.Caboose]

Thompson
vvv
http://img302.imageshack.us/img302/88/20minutes14wh9zg.gif

[CTD-Tiwaz]

That Thompson guy isn't right in the head.. Ignorant *** shlt he is. How dare a professional man respond to something in such an immature and disrespectful manner. Anyone wantr to sponsor me on a trip to Florida? I'll knock his block off - IF he talks smack to my face like he does in these emails..

[Deadpoetic]

WTF? You say you are 42 and then in your sig you said that you are a teenager that never smoked pot??? wtfburger

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

would you think that i might be proud that i have never done drugs?

[Elohim]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The guys is an ambulance chaser gone technological, just check out his website -- http://www.stopkill.com/

Yeah, I agree that retailers shouldn't sell M rated games to anyone under 17, but I also believe that the parents should be the ones responsible for what their kids are and aren't playing.

Video games won't ever be banned, and they won't get any less violent. What will change will be the punishments for those retailers who sell violent video games to kids under the age warranted by the rating.

[N2K]

someone send him an email saying, i felt like killing 40 people after playing the elmo game on my pc

lol

he probably played pacman when it came out and got beat so now he hates all violent game :D

[AFEDslayer]

excuse my language, but SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT THIS ASSHAT IN HIS PLACE, I think im gonna send him a hatemail letter or something.. but my god wouldent he rathre have kids having someting to do rather then going out and getting high? ughh this guy just makes me want to kill someone lol!

i play just about every violent game out at the moment, and you dont see me killing people, i mean god damn, like tat one guy said, its the parent that are at fault not the damn video games.

[|GRB|Sarge]

Sending him hatemail just fuels his cause. As Elohim said, he is an ambulance chaser. He has an angle that he thinks will get him celebrity status and make him lots of money.

Scoggs approach of sending him a letter with a reasonable and well worded arguement is the best way imo. Especially when he replies as he did with something ablsolutely idiotic. Spread the word when he does and he will eventually lose credibility.

just my 2 cents.

[AFEDslayer]

i wasnt planning to do that, i was just kinda steaming my anger lol, GO SCOGGS! your gonna end up saving us all from this ****er.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

here is an email i just sent him

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I am writing back to ask you why you have sent me such an offensive comment. I have talked to a lot of people on this subject and the replies i have gotten vary from, report your foul comment to the media(which I have sent a letter to MSNBC), go public(Sent another letter to Attack Of The Show(Daily live show on G4tv), and the Florida BAR. In all of which I have included you statement and a screenshot of EXACTLY what you wrote. I only wrote to you what most people see in games, and to correct... well incorrect statements on your site. Being that they are incorrect means that you fan base if that's what you want to call it, is being fed false information. Almost as bad as false advertising. i would like to hear from you again with a nice explanation.


No Thank You For Your Disrespect,
Mr. Erikson
--
If You Have Any Questions Or Comments To this Email,
Please Reply- I Look Forward To Hearing From You

[Yuf]

Various game-media sites who have contacted him about information have gotten responses that basically say his email is there for people who have been harmed by video games, and nothing else. He's in it for the money. If you're serious about following it up, then call him (If you can do it via your computer so you can record the conversation) if he mouths off then you have a sound bite which will draw quite a bit more media attention than an email.

It's hilarious that he's still holding to the "Them sims r nude!!!!!" story. It's sad, because if this trend keeps up then modding will most likely be tagged as illegal since it looks like everyone is going to start holding the publisher responsible for user created/unlocked content. It took 25 years for games to be considered art, and less than a month for crippling restrictions to be implemented.

Coming soon: The Printed Art Ratings Association

The various software stores deserve part of the blame, since (in the States atleast) age is very rarely verified, but the true fault lies with the parent. It takes all but five seconds to turn the box over, look at the rating and why it's rated as such. Apparantly that's too much work for the upper-trash population, who buy the game to either shut their kid up, or potentially shut him up. Hot Coffee was most likely discovered by an adult with a desire to snoop. The world at large remains largely unharmed because no one knew about it, and you had to jump through all kinds of hoops to unlock it. Riiiight.

The ESRB is a bunch of asshats too. The only reason they took action is because they came under close scrutiny and the moron heading up the board decided that her reputation overshrouded her duty to provide a fair rating. I'm still trying to figure out why God of War for the PS2 has made it so long without someone screaming for the lynch mob. Bare breasts, gratituous violence, and a threesome mini-game are somehow so much better than a black guy getting a beej. Maybe it's 'cause Kratos is white? Hmmm.

And finally: The politicians. The America public can do no wrong. When a child buys a mature title for a twelve year old, it's the parents who are the victims, because they didn't know any better. The big, bold letters that make up the title of a felony, and the "Afro-Americans" flashing gang signs on the cover are all the siren calls of a piece of software trying to consume your immortal soul. What. The. Eff. According to Hillary it's not the parent's fault. I will get down on my knees and offer thanks the day we get a politician who will assign blame where it's meant to go. I'd be willing to go on broadcasted television and make a speech consisting of small words telling parents that they need to start being parents. Instead the Federal Government will launch and investigation in to Rockstar (whom you already know will be fined a hefty amount) and open the floodgates for further lawsuits against Manhunt and the GTA series. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, gones are the days of Freedom of Speech, replaced instead by an evolving Constitution under this reich.

Welcome to America.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

I just got an email from that twat

first reply was this...
Jack Thompson
to me
Hide options 2:43 pm (35 minutes ago)
From: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>
To: Jared Erikson <spartangov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 26, 2005 2:43 PM
Subject: Re: Why Would You Do That?

You're more than welcome

then this one

Jack Thompson
to me
Hide options 2:45 pm (32 minutes ago)
From: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>
To: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>, Jared Erikson <spartangov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 26, 2005 2:45 PM
Subject: Re: Why Would You Do That?

Oh, and here you are a parent who lets his daughter play violent games. I
hope you truly don't have any more kids. we have enough game-numbed robots out here already. thanks for your inquiries, and stop bothering me


adn the scrrenshot to along with it....

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1435/outrage10xw.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/39/outrage27zs.jpg

[GlobalFear]

What a tool.:rolleyes:

Any responses from G4, msnbc, etc?

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

nope just from Jackass Thompson

[Ace101]

you do realize hes doing this for publicity, not like the law will ever pass....

[Laike]

Basically same as Ace.... Lawyer fighting a fruitless case for "justice" Great publicity even if he looses. Frankly, lawyers a moron about life if he believes he can do it, and he's right, and a genious in self promotion and advertising.

Edit: On even further checks, I'm surprised this nut case even passed the BAR and able to get enough clients to start such an idiotic endeavour with his miserable grammer, and his lack of verbal diplomacy.

[Footshot]

you do realize hes doing this for publicity, not like the law will ever pass....Politicians were stupid enough to believe him in the San Andreas case, why not for other things?

[TheInvisibleMan]

This Jackass Thompson is probably one of those parents that are so busy wasting other peoples time on their 'crusade' that they are too stupid to realize their kids probably think he's a ****.

Jackass Thompson, adopt a puppy or go on a diet if you want to feel better about yourself and leave the rest of the world alone!

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

This Jackass Thompson is probably one of those parents that are so busy wasting other peoples time on their 'crusade' that they are too stupid to realize their kids probably think he's a ****.

Jackass Thompson, adopt a puppy or go on a diet if you want to feel better about yourself and leave the rest of the world alone!
nah, that wouldn't work. He's spending too much time absorbing other people's trust, taking their sad stories of horrible and painful experiences, and turning them to make his own profit and celebrity. But then again, what American wouldn't?

He's a modern American citizen: turning someone else's pain into his own gain. Ya know, I've heard the phrase "no pain no gain" but I thought that applied to your own pain, not the pain of others...

Don't you just love being a part of this hypocritical, psychotic, and morally bankrupt country? I know I do:wall:

[Mayhem]

****ing rude W@**E*

I said to him, everyone with a life plays computer games like shoot em ups.
he said to me : well your the jackass that needs to get a life,
hes the one that wants games banned.

I say we ****ing go an find him an shoot the $*** out of him,

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

****ing rude W@**E*

I said to him, everyone with a life plays computer games like shoot em ups.
he said to me : well your the jackass that needs to get a life,
hes the one that wants games banned.

I say we ****ing go an find him an shoot the $*** out of him,
not exactly the best way to get our point across that we don't like him but I guess it serves as a good enough one

[troybob]

Politicians were stupid enough to believe him in the San Andreas case, why not for other things?

He was right in that case

the code was even in the PS2 version and they didn't inform the ESRB.

But now he's just riding the coat-tails of his victory.

EA didn't put any code in for porn. Rockstar Games did - they just didn't put it in the game.

[Footshot]

****ing rude W@**E*

I said to him, everyone with a life plays computer games like shoot em ups.
he said to me : well your the jackass that needs to get a life,
hes the one that wants games banned.

I say we ****ing go an find him an shoot the $*** out of him,That's one of the most childish comebacks I've ever heard. You'd think a professional would be able to reply with dignity.

Scoggs, send him an email saying something along the lines of, "I truly hope you don't have any kids. There are already enough unstable children in this country because of irresponsable parents like you that don't teach their children right from wrong well enough to make sure that they don't go on killing sprees from fantasies such as videogames or a movies. "

[Comrade Nu]

He's clearly talking out of his ***. Do people actually take this guy seriously?

[Footshot]

He's clearly talking out of his ***. Do people actually take this guy seriously?Everyone cept gamers think he's right. :rolleyes:

[Jameson]

Some one should hack his site.

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

Some one should hack his site.
lol, I'd love to see that happen. Make him switch all his words around, change his password so he can't get back in, so he has to make a new one with which to say things, and no one will believe him cuz he talks like an *** for everyone. Even if he asked for help, he'd probably still sound like a jerk

[Chief-Mulla]

honestly, whats screwing the world up worse....

video games or arrogant ***** lawyers?

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

That's one of the most childish comebacks I've ever heard. You'd think a professional would be able to reply with dignity.

Scoggs, send him an email saying something along the lines of, "I truly hope you don't have any kids. There are already enough unstable children in this country because of irresponsable parents like you that don't teach their children right from wrong well enough to make sure that they don't go on killing sprees from fantasies such as videogames or a movies. "


i just sent a letter with EXACTLY what you said

[TheInvisibleMan]

Jackass Thompson should read this:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-johnson27jul27,0,1432940.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

If he truly believes that video games will cause the end of the world, where are his FACTS on teenage violence in kids that directly relates their behaviour to video games?

Jacko should realize that 9 year olds shouldn't be playing 17+ video games in the first place... or then again, maybe he should educate parents that going to EB to buy their CHILDREN Grand Theft Auto might not be such a good idea, rather than just blaming the creators of GTA.

Off of Jackass Thompsons website:

"A recent Gallup Poll found that any American teen who has played this one game is twice as likely to be engaged in an act of violence than those who have not played this one game."

UMM, the same can be said of kids that grow up with abusive parents, split homes, low income families, poor education, etc. Of course Jacko isn't going to give the public the entire picture...

[Footshot]

Scoggs']i just sent a letter with EXACTLY what you saidSweet :cool:

[Comrade Nu]

As always, it's not what you know, it's what you can proove. I don't think he'll be able to prove anything any time soon to a reasonable judge and jury.

[imported_Andy]

it will never happen, if you ban video games that are violant then you are going to have to ban videos that are violant, tv shows, commercials, everything that is violant

[TheInvisibleMan]

it will never happen, if you ban video games that are violant then you are going to have to ban videos that are violant, tv shows, commercials, everything that is violant

Don't forget all contact sports like hockey, football, rugby, etc. paintball would also have to be banned.

90+ % of cartoons would fall under the 'violent' scope, and don't forget the 3 stooges.

And you Americans... damn, all the violence you show on TV from Iraq. Ban them all. No 6 o'clock news for you buddy!! :D

You see, Jackass Thompson fails to realize that the problem isn't video games, it's much more than that... he just doesn't want to admit it.

And to show you how stupid other people are about this Grand Theft Auto thing:

"NEW YORK - A woman upset that she bought the video game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” for her 14-year-old grandson without knowing it contained hidden, sexually explicit scenes sued the manufacturer Wednesday on behalf of consumers nationwide.

Florence Cohen, 85, of New York, said in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan that the game’s manufacturer, Rockstar Games, and its parent company, New York-based Take Two Interactive Software Inc., engaged in false, misleading and deceptive practices."

Many granny should read the label on the game 17+ MATURE... I hope they fine her and give her a week in jail for being a moron LOL!!

And sexually explicit scenes? I've seen worse on TV, and so has her 14-year-old grandson...

[imported_Andy]

indeed its just people with no idea of video games, the parents buy the game then complain that its to violant. in most of these cases the parent bought the game without knowing it was 18+. morons i say

a parent buying a video game that is clearly 18+ for there children who are under th age of 18 should be tought a lesson in looking at the damn age certificate, they are there for a reason.

as for gta san andreas being too sexy, there is more sexualy explicit material on day time tv, for instance the black and white commercial of the guy leaping out of bed kicking a pillow around while hes naked, no frontal nudity but you can see his *** very clearly aswel as his entire naked body, it was an ad for aftershave or somthin. also womens commercials where they cover there nipple exposing the rest of there breast are even more on display than in gta. gta is pornographic yes thats why it is 18+ aswel as the pornos on the top shelf of the video stores. as for the woman not knowing it had sexual scenes in it, well heres a good one, what if they actualy let you know there was sex in it by placing a clear and large ***** on the front cover they would still complain about that.

[Chief-Mulla]

people like to think that they have no accountability to anything they do, thats the problem

[an army medic]

Scoggs']I dont know where else to post this but, This miami attorney looks to have violent video-games banned... And i think BF2 falls into the catogory of violent, so not entirely random... I suggest that you voice your opinion because this guy is a *****... his email is jackpeace@comcast.net

This is the email i sent him and below is his reply, and no i am not making this up.... GOD IM SOOOOO ****ING ANGRY!!!

Dear Mr.Thompson ,
Although I think that this will probably never reach your desk...

Let me start off by introducing myself, my name is Jared Erikson. I
am a Deputy at the Information Technology Division of InterPol. I am
also a 42 year old parent of a 16 year old girl. While not of the
norm she plays video-games, while mainly of the sport type(she loves
baseball), she also has a few titles of a violent nature. Some of
these include Halo, Halo 2, the entire Grand Theft Auto series, and a
few that are not coming to mind at the moment. As most concerned
parents are aware of at the moment is the issue of 'Hot Coffee', a
modification to GTA: San Andreas.

Since our family owns a Xbox, I have no worries that she will see
pornographic material on our tele. While I am afraid to believe that
I am sure that she has done worse with her boyfriend. I know you are
probably thinking "You are letting your 16 year old daughter play this
wretched game!!??". Well yes, and I in fact play this game too, it is
odd to see it from the other side, being a police officer myself. I
also do not see any violent personas that are taking over my daughter.
In this "Hot Coffee" patch, you apparently are allowed to have sex
with your girlfriend. Being that I have beaten this game I have not
been able to do that with the NORMAL retail game. I can see how this
is a huge boost for all of the people who, like you, want all video
games banned. While this is in the U.S., my country likes to make law
whatever the U.S. does, so this will affect me in the long run. I am
sure that you have never spent one second with this game, much less
seen it in action. Since you haven't played it that would also mean
you have never seen the disc or read the 'End User License Agreement'
that you have to agree to in the PC version. On the Playstation 2
version, the disc clearly says that you may not reverse engineer the
product and it also says the same in the PC version. While Rockstar
Games said that it is part of the code, it is not a simple code that
you can enter to view this, you have to change the software(which I
remind you is illegal) in order to see the Sexual scene. So it is in
fact the user's fault, and that they have to enter the code
themselves, they are not asked to do so. So they are infringing what
the Publisher, Developer, Manufacture have asked the user not to do.
Although it is said and done now and it has been pulled off the
shelves, it helps to see the REALITY.

While reading around on you site is saw, and I quote,
"Dateline NBC reported Friday, December 13, 2002, that the Beltway
Sniper, John Lee Malvo, was compelled by John Muhammad to train on the
sniper video game, Halo, switched to sniper-mode or God-mode, to
suppress his inhibition to kill.""

Firstly I would like to clear up one issue, this is not a 'sniper'
game as said above, merely another tactic used by the slanted media to
put the public in fear. While you may be able to snipe, it is not the
main focus of the game, as that headline may lead the public, or
anyone that reads your site, to believe. I would wish you change
this. Also the mention of the 'god mode' is only available to people
with Modified Xboxes, this is very illegal. But, another thing that
is very wrong, "suppress his inhibition to kill". I have played both
of these games through and through, and I am sure you haven't. This
has not even in one second made me want to kill anyone less than I did
when I was a baby. I am also faced with the possibility that I may
have to take life one day, while I work at a computer most of the
day, that does not mean I don't carry a weapon on me at all times.

People who kill because of video-games have more problems than
video-games, probably in some kind of unnatural mental state. Another
thing I had a problem with was "trained on Doom", there is no way
shooting on a video game is like real life. Being that I go to the
range every day, and then go home and occasionally play games like
Doom, I can't even compare. I am sure if you went back in time and
tested them they would have some mental problems.

Also
"In the statement, Thompson says, "Sims 2, the latest version of the
Sims video game franchise ... contains, according to video game news
sites, full frontal nudity, including nipples, penises, labia, and
pubic hair.""
I like the fact that well you didn't get your facts straight, maybe
some research or general knowledge in the matter would help.

One More Thing...
"Thompson this afternoon updated his earlier statement, saying he is
aware certain mods only remove "the blur," but adds that "Electronic
Arts has done nothing about this." Thompson's new conclusion: EA is
"cooperating, gleefully, with the mod community to turn Sims 2 into a
porn offering.""

Electronics Arts Inc. cannot remove sites offering the malicious code
that you speak of, sorry.

While you think that all of this is getting you good publicity, you
are in fact making a $9.8Billion industry hate you, and not to mention
making people want to buy these games so much more. While I believe
that game rating should be followed more closely, i.e. M(17+) should
not be sold to minors. The whole video-games are the devil thing that
you are implying is well... the devil.

Thank You for reading This, And I will send it every day until i receive a reply

Sincerely,
Jared J. Erikson

His Reply

Jack Thompson
to me
Hide options 4:22 am (13 hours ago)
From: Jack Thompson <jackpeace@comcast.net>
To: Jared Erikson <spartangov@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 25, 2005 4:22 AM
Subject: Re: My Problems With Video Game Violence

get a divorce before you have any more kids, please

who the **** would write that!!!!

GAMERS UNITE!!!!

ill beat the snot out of him if he wins!

[$G-MONEY SMITH$]

this is the most idiotic thing ive ever seen, this guy cant be serious ha. that blows my mind.

[AFEDslayer]

this guy just pisses me off so much , HE REALY needs to get his own life and stop telling people waht to do, what a jackass.............. F$#%ER

[Chop_Suey35]

FluffyDamans']lets go find him, and make sure he knows better than to insult people with such harsh and cruel statements
dude seriously i with u man that man need a lesson **** man in psych 101 they always taugh us classical conditioning (eg:we laern to associate two stimuli and thus to anticipate events we learn that a falsh of lightning signals an impendin crack of thunder, and so we start to brace ourselves when lightning flashes nearby.) well in this case he can learn when he bad mouths people like that to anticipate a fist in his face :box: i think that will get him to stop sooner or later because after all looking at his intelligence level he looks like hes a SLLLLLLOOOOOWWWW LEARNER

[an army medic]

look what i wrote to his dumb ***!

"Hay man i'd like video games banned too,that way the day will be so boring i'll freak out!"

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

dude seriously i with u man that man need a lesson **** man in psych 101 they always taugh us classical conditioning (eg:we laern to associate two stimuli and thus to anticipate events we learn that a falsh of lightning signals an impendin crack of thunder, and so we start to brace ourselves when lightning flashes nearby.) well in this case he can learn when he bad mouths people like that to anticipate a fist in his face :box: i think that will get him to stop sooner or later because after all looking at his intelligence level he looks like hes a SLLLLLLOOOOOWWWW LEARNER
LOL yeah I know what you mean. Some poelpe really don't know anything at all...they just need to know when things don't work right, or work out the way they want it too.

[SL4Y3R]

Is this guy 12? I mean with a response like those it sure does sound like it. Maybe email him with a link to this topic and what we all think about this dips***. i think if we banned videogames there would be massive violent riots in protest to get them back.

Does anyone agree?

[AFEDslayer]

I Do, I Do

[bu11eTJuNkiE]

I agree. Id be one of them :)

Anyway Look at this news posted today at gamespot

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/08/01/news_6130128.html

Wow, This jack thompson needs to have his head examined.

[an army medic]

got befor and after photos of him

befor: http://www.20six.co.uk/pub/MiamiCriminalLawyer/300c_285_0.jpg

after: http://www.annastesia.com/Pics/AnnaStesia%20Poop.jpg

[Chop_Suey35]

Does he and everyone not realize by making such a riot, he is literally a giving rockstar free marketing and B making more people want it because everyone is gonna wanna know what the whole fuss is about kinda like fari 9/11 thing

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

after: http://www.annastesia.com/Pics/AnnaStesia%20Poop.jpg

^^^that one doesnt work

[[R-Mod]FluffyDamans]

Scoggs']^^^that one doesnt work
No it don't

[Sloi sauce]

Yes it does. Remove the %20 and add a space...

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

and a space?

[volkl]

Here's an interesting interview with Jack Thompson:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/24/tech/gamecore/main676446.shtml

After reading it, I believe the reply you received from him is real (hilarious IMO). I'm still not 100% convinced that you are really a parent. But if you are, I'm with Jack on this one. He may well be another amublance-chasing greedy lawyer but I agree entirely with all his interview responses. Battlefield 2 is a great game, albeit violent. I'd hate to see it banned. Nor should it be. But games like GTA are purely anti-social. Don't buy into that phony and dismissive "it's the parents' responsibility" argument. Yes it's true, parents have the responsibility to monitor their kids. But the fact is, many do not. And third parties should not suffer as a consequence.

For those who are in denial of the effects of violent games, answer me this: after playing Battlefield 2 all night do you ever dream of running around the map as if still playing in your head? Obviously there's something interacting with your brain circuitry. Or how about going outside after playing Far Cry for several hours. What is your first impulse when you hear a chopper overhead? Ever think, need to grab my rocket launcher and shoot it before it takes me out?

I only read about half the thread, but it seemed to need an opposing point of view. So there you have it. It'll be interesting to see if I am banned for not towing the party line (I fully expect to get flamed).

[MrChris_CJ]

these ppl will never ban video games...its simpl that there are more reilgious ppl in america who seek to impose their beliefs on other people and see it fit to begin with violent video games...utter ball**** in my opinion its a game and has no effect on reality...in the uk a kid could buy an 18 game easily but it wont harm them in any way at all...

[CommandoOps]

Jack Tompson Plans
1.Planning To Ban The Sims 2 because of some Nudity Code And Hi says that the sims 2 is Pedophiles Dream come true? He Jackban his just sick and dumb the game was made
to have fun and to play fun will hi Jack Tompson is just playing :evil: against video gamers :(
2. i bet on this one Jack Tompson next move is to ban Games that are Kool Actions games for PC and XboX
3.Hi Will Try To Ban all world war 2 RTS AND Acations games hi will try to say that some one from the future may play the nazis side and the future dude will go back in time telling hillter how to win the war
4.GTA SA Is Now Rated 18 Adults only
5.Jack Tompson makes me :rofl: and makes :laugh:
6.Iits Parents responsibility what are they buying for there kids and the if that Parent
wants to buy a Video Game For the kid Always LOOK UNDER THE Software Rating

[Crashlander]

So it's video games fault. Funny, last year it was Marilyn Mansun's fault. It's never the fault of the person committing the act is it? I have played violent video games all my life, I watched the Hellraiser films when I was 10 and I'm now studying to be an electronic bookeeper. My Brother on the other hand, has never played games, and he's in prison for murder.
Doesn't seem to make any sense does it? You know, when there's nothing else to blame?
If I ever bought a gun, walked into a shopping centre and blew away some poor mother shopping with her kids, It wouldn't have been the fault of GTA. A damn video game can't pick up a gun. I can, so its my fault.
Bloody do gooders.

Right then, Our lass has just come in and we're off to see War of the Worlds. Soon after I'll be machine-gunning a town centre because you ARE ALL MARTIANS!! I have to save the world!! It's the FILM'S FAULT!!

Sigh.

[Elohim]

Here's an interesting interview with Jack Thompson:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/24/tech/gamecore/main676446.shtml

After reading it, I believe the reply you received from him is real (hilarious IMO). I'm still not 100% convinced that you are really a parent. But if you are, I'm with Jack on this one. He may well be another amublance-chasing greedy lawyer but I agree entirely with all his interview responses. Battlefield 2 is a great game, albeit violent. I'd hate to see it banned. Nor should it be. But games like GTA are purely anti-social. Don't buy into that phony and dismissive "it's the parents' responsibility" argument. Yes it's true, parents have the responsibility to monitor their kids. But the fact is, many do not. And third parties should not suffer as a consequence.

I only read about half the thread, but it seemed to need an opposing point of view. So there you have it. It'll be interesting to see if I am banned for not towing the party line (I fully expect to get flamed).

Games aren't going to be banned in the United States. Period. The only thing they can do is up the punishment for retailers selling mature games to underage kids.

It's funny when you look at it, because the previous generation always finds something to ***** about and tries to censor it: Elvis dances too sexy. Rock and Roll is a tool of the devil. Everyone who plays Dungeons and Dragons is a witch. Beavis and Butthead and Southpark are degrading our nation's youth. I'm sorry, but the more I read interviews with Jack Thompson, the more I want to blame the parents. Yes, I agree that retailers should be restricted from selling games to those who are underage, but I think the parent commits the biggest crime by letting his or her child come home and play the game. I don't give a **** if that parent works 60 hours a week, if you're not involved with your child's development, you don't deserve to have kids. Parents who blame their kid's actions on video games, or kids who blame their actions on video games, are scum and are just looking to shrug off responsibility.

For those who are in denial of the effects of violent games, answer me this: after playing Battlefield 2 all night do you ever dream of running around the map as if still playing in your head? Obviously there's something interacting with your brain circuitry. Or how about going outside after playing Far Cry for several hours. What is your first impulse when you hear a chopper overhead? Ever think, need to grab my rocket launcher and shoot it before it takes me out?

Of course video games have an effect on your sensory input. Humans are adaptive creatures, and we're going to react to stimuli. Does that mean there's something malignant behind it? No. If you play a game and you don't shoot the helicopter, you lose a life. It's the same thing as if you don't drive on the right side of the road, you get in an accident. There's a huge difference between thinking these things and then acting upon them. You know how many people think about killing their bosses? Look at the conversations today, a lot of people say "I'll kill you" in a joking matter. If you want to follow that line of logic, look to ban fictional literature next, because there are a lot of concepts that could be considered bad and because the author's thought these concepts up mean they fully intend on acting upon them, right?

The point is, if you can't distinguish between reality and fiction, you have no business playing video games. If you're a parent, that means not buying your son or daughter an Xbox, or if you do, you need to take an active role in your child's life and actually pay attention. Maybe that's the problem, maybe parents don't pay enough attention to their kids and the kids in turn escape into video games. Parents that blame someone else for their kid getting ****ed up along the way need to be castrated.

You should also consider the millions and millions of people who play video games without going ape****, too.

[[LG]Cataclysm]

You should also consider the millions and millions of people who play video games without going ape****, too.
lol, going Ape****. That's Freaking hallarious.

Oh, I hear a heli, I gotta go blow it up, BRB.

[Yuf]

Here's an interesting interview with Jack Thompson:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/24/tech/gamecore/main676446.shtml

After reading it, I believe the reply you received from him is real (hilarious IMO). I'm still not 100% convinced that you are really a parent. But if you are, I'm with Jack on this one. He may well be another amublance-chasing greedy lawyer but I agree entirely with all his interview responses. Battlefield 2 is a great game, albeit violent. I'd hate to see it banned. Nor should it be. But games like GTA are purely anti-social. Don't buy into that phony and dismissive "it's the parents' responsibility" argument. Yes it's true, parents have the responsibility to monitor their kids. But the fact is, many do not. And third parties should not suffer as a consequence.

For those who are in denial of the effects of violent games, answer me this: after playing Battlefield 2 all night do you ever dream of running around the map as if still playing in your head? Obviously there's something interacting with your brain circuitry. Or how about going outside after playing Far Cry for several hours. What is your first impulse when you hear a chopper overhead? Ever think, need to grab my rocket launcher and shoot it before it takes me out?

I only read about half the thread, but it seemed to need an opposing point of view. So there you have it. It'll be interesting to see if I am banned for not towing the party line (I fully expect to get flamed).

I appreciate an opposing view, but after reading through that interview I still think he's grandstanding. I think anyone who can't make the distinction between fantasy and reality needs to seek psychiatric help. Ozzy went through the same scrutiny over the course of his career. Columbine was the result of what happens in every high school across the country - kids picking on other kids. Games may have been a source of escapism, but I seriously doubt that they read like an instructional manual.

In that same vein, I recall a case against Midway where the parents of a child murdered in a shooting claimed that playing games allowed [the shooter] to fire off six head shots over the course of three seconds, which is higher than marksmanship quals in the military. I can learn that headshots are bad just by watching the opening sequence to Saving Private Ryan, and by citing that i'm probably helping along Thompson's cause in some small way, but I believe that if he were serious about change, then he'd look at the whole picture rather than just one facet.

My first game was Street Fighter when it first game out on the Genesis, a game that my mom originally didn't want to buy because it had blood in it. A few years later when I enrolled in Karate she sat me down and made damn sure that I knew the difference between what I saw on the screen and what I could do in real life. This was an 8 to 7 mom, and my dad was in the military and still managed to call and make sure I knew. Afterwards, when I started going through some social problems (School. Suprise suprise.) she sat me down again, and when she was sure that I was still not saying all there was to say, she took me to a shrink. I sat in his office for an hour, and he said that I was completely fine. That was the only time I ever went to a shrink. When I was 14 I punched my brother hard enough to shatter the bone that supports the eyeball. Why? He hit me first. Why'd he hit me? It was a fight amongst siblings. It had nothing to do with a video game. I punched him in the face because i'd been hit in the face and knew it hurt.

I'll be the first to admit that retailers don't play by the rules. M-rated games go to 17+ period, but when these changes are made and the parent has to purchase the game for their child (therefore taking on the responsibility), what then? I seriously doubt that the scraps that are allegedly attributed to video games are going to stop, and I doubt further at that point that responsibility will stop with the parent. We'll see more Old Woman cases saying how they were mislead, that they didn't know, never realizing that it's their job to know.

Nope, never had fantasies about Battlefield 2. I have random points where I brainstorm movie ideas, but that's about it. Probably the only game that has any type of effect on me is the Sims 2, where I dreamt I could click an arrow and speed up time. Dunno how that counts anyway, making a distinction between two similiar situations is something we do all the time, whether it's "Hey, I was here yesterday" or "Sweet! A blackhawk! Those are in BF2!"

I understand why people are pissed off. I personally don't like it that someone is telling me that I have no moral code because I play video games, or that by exposing it to children I have the makings of an abusive father. I'm of the belief that a good number of the folks that play this game are teens and are standing up and shouting "Look here! We're not all psychotic!" but the media in all it's whorey looks solely to the negative. Thompson is in it for the money. His movement will most likely overtake the US since every politician looking to get some spotlight is getting behind him. I can get behind him on some of the points that he's proposing, but overall I think he's a fanatic.

If you're really interested in violence, read the Bible.

[[LG]Cataclysm]

i think if we banned videogames there would be massive violent riots in protest to get them back.

Does anyone agree?
No, that would prove their "theory". The best we can do is be like Ghandi, peaceful resistance.

[Elohim]

Cataclysm']No, that would prove their "theory". The best we can do is be like Ghandi, peaceful resistance.

Ghandi was an avid racist and a pedophile, might be better to go with Martin Luther King, Jr.

[volkl]

So it's video games fault. Funny, last year it was Marilyn Mansun's fault. It's never the fault of the person committing the act is it? I have played violent video games all my life, I watched the Hellraiser films when I was 10 and I'm now studying to be an electronic bookeeper. My Brother on the other hand, has never played games, and he's in prison for murder.
Doesn't seem to make any sense does it? You know, when there's nothing else to blame?
If I ever bought a gun, walked into a shopping centre and blew away some poor mother shopping with her kids, It wouldn't have been the fault of GTA. A damn video game can't pick up a gun. I can, so its my fault.
Bloody do gooders.

Right then, Our lass has just come in and we're off to see War of the Worlds. Soon after I'll be machine-gunning a town centre because you ARE ALL MARTIANS!! I have to save the world!! It's the FILM'S FAULT!!

Sigh.

No it's the fault of the person who commits the violent crime. I'm not sure who has said otherwise (other than grieving parents looking to cash in). But violent video games can, in the case of a few individuals, be the straw that breaks the camel's back. And when these games are illegally sold to minors, the retailers become accomplices as are the parents for not providing proper supervision. And when publishers seek to evade the content rating system, they too are accomplices.

Let's make a few stipulations that everyone can agree on (hopefully):
(1) Some violent criminals have never played video games
(2) Some video game players have never committed a violent crime
(3) Violent crime existed before video games
(4) None of the above three points neither proves nor disproves a link between violent video games and crime

If you had stats that showed 22% of youths in the general population play violent games and 22% of youths arrested for violent crimes play violent games that would suggest no link between the two. Or if 22% of the general population were gamers but 75% of those arrested were gamers then that would strongly suggest a link. The personal experiences of one or two people prove nothing.

PS - Marilyn Manson is a degenerate and a freak (redundant?).

[volkl]

Games aren't going to be banned in the United States. Period. The only thing they can do is up the punishment for retailers selling mature games to underage kids.


I agree they are unlikely to be banned and, more likely, restrictions in sales to minors will be more heavily enforced (yeah I would have been opposed to that too when I was under 18). Not that you raised the issue but, banning sales to minors is not a first amendment issue. No more than a ban on cigarettes, alcohol, or pornography is. As far as banning sales to adults, I could see constitutional grounds for doing so in the case of a few extreme titles that would pass the first amendment test. We all realize there are limits. Inciting violent overthrow of the government is not constitutionally protected speech. Britain has just recently clamped down on clerics who incite their followers to violence. Following the logic of some posters, the clerics cannot make these kids do anything they don't want to do and thus should be held harmless. Admittedly, the anology is not perfect but I think it illustrates the point.


It's funny when you look at it, because the previous generation always finds something to ***** about and tries to censor it: Elvis dances too sexy. Rock and Roll is a tool of the devil. Everyone who plays Dungeons and Dragons is a witch. Beavis and Butthead and Southpark are degrading our nation's youth. I'm sorry, but the more I read interviews with Jack Thompson, the more I want to blame the parents. Yes, I agree that retailers should be restricted from selling games to those who are underage, but I think the parent commits the biggest crime by letting his or her child come home and play the game. I don't give a **** if that parent works 60 hours a week, if you're not involved with your child's development, you don't deserve to have kids. Parents who blame their kid's actions on video games, or kids who blame their actions on video games, are scum and are just looking to shrug off responsibility.



Of course video games have an effect on your sensory input. Humans are adaptive creatures, and we're going to react to stimuli. Does that mean there's something malignant behind it? No. If you play a game and you don't shoot the helicopter, you lose a life. It's the same thing as if you don't drive on the right side of the road, you get in an accident. There's a huge difference between thinking these things and then acting upon them. You know how many people think about killing their bosses? Look at the conversations today, a lot of people say "I'll kill you" in a joking matter. If you want to follow that line of logic, look to ban fictional literature next, because there are a lot of concepts that could be considered bad and because the author's thought these concepts up mean they fully intend on acting upon them, right?

The point is, if you can't distinguish between reality and fiction, you have no business playing video games. If you're a parent, that means not buying your son or daughter an Xbox, or if you do, you need to take an active role in your child's life and actually pay attention. Maybe that's the problem, maybe parents don't pay enough attention to their kids and the kids in turn escape into video games. Parents that blame someone else for their kid getting ****ed up along the way need to be castrated.

You should also consider the millions and millions of people who play video games without going ape****, too.


People get hostile when you "steal" their tank or chopper in game. Are you suggesting that all gamers are naturally uptight and rude? There should be no doubt that these games have, at a minimum, a short-term effect on personality. If you trust the APA, here's where they stand on the effects of violent games:

http://www.apa.org/science/psa/sb-anderson.html

For those who have accepted the effect, the second issue is an appropriate remedy. I disagree with an outright ban. Just like I disagree that we should all drive 5mph because it might save one life. Life involves risk and you cannot punish millions of people because a few of them have a vulnerability. However, those who dismiss any possible effects out of hand are just as guilty as those who call for an immediate outright ban of having an agenda.

[volkl]

I appreciate an opposing view, but after reading through that interview I still think he's grandstanding. I think anyone who can't make the distinction between fantasy and reality needs to seek psychiatric help. Ozzy went through the same scrutiny over the course of his career. Columbine was the result of what happens in every high school across the country - kids picking on other kids. Games may have been a source of escapism, but I seriously doubt that they read like an instructional manual.

In that same vein, I recall a case against Midway where the parents of a child murdered in a shooting claimed that playing games allowed [the shooter] to fire off six head shots over the course of three seconds, which is higher than marksmanship quals in the military. I can learn that headshots are bad just by watching the opening sequence to Saving Private Ryan, and by citing that i'm probably helping along Thompson's cause in some small way, but I believe that if he were serious about change, then he'd look at the whole picture rather than just one facet.



Well, Hillary is certainly grandstanding. Apparently sex with interns in the Oval Office is ok but not sex hidden on a video game. You may be right that this lawyer is out to make a name for himself (and millions of dollars). It's rare that lawyers are strictly concerned with ethics. As far as other violent mediums (Saving Private Ryan was a great production btw), they are passive not active. The APA has allegedly proven distinct differences in the effects. See link from prior post.

[volkl]

Cataclysm']
Oh, I hear a heli, I gotta go blow it up, BRB.

Ok, that was kinda funny. But it tells me you've probably never played Far Cry all the way through. In which case you are missing the best FPS made to date. Yeah Half-Life 2 has slightly better physics and graphics but Far Cry has much better gameplay.

[TheInvisibleMan]

If Jackass Thompson believes so strongly that video games are the root of all evil, then maybe he should check with EA to see how many hours the Taliban logged into BF2...

I personally think I have seen more violence come out of kids from watching WWF wrestling or those incredibly violent action cartoons.

I grew up listening to bands like Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, etc. I've been playing FPS games since before the original Wolfenstein. I love mobster movies and horror movies crack me up. www.ogrish.com was a frequently visited website.

I STILL listen to the same music (and a wide mix of everything else)... I still love to watch those kinds of movies and I will always play first person shooters.

What I also do is donate to charities; use my home to foster dogs; I raise two kids whom I love VERY VERY MUCH; I am Vegan; I am against REAL violence; I pay my taxes; I hold a great job; I give people a helping hand and I'm good to my wife.

The entire gaming world shouldn't have to suffer because of parents that are too blind to see that their kids have problems... Or this clown lawyer...

[Ryoshima]

Reading some stuff about him and I came across this, something he accuses EA and Maxis about,

"added an accusation that EA and Maxis were cooperating with the mod community to peddle vile to minors"

Can tell you right now thats not entirely true, when did EA help the mod community? = P

[glasseye]

You may be right that this lawyer is out to make a name for himself (and millions of dollars). It's rare that lawyers are strictly concerned with ethics. As far as other violent mediums (Saving Private Ryan was a great production btw), they are passive not active. The APA has allegedly proven distinct differences in the effects. See link from prior post.
of course he is. its the same guy that had 'cop killer' pulled off the shelves.

its a good plan though, you see i sue game companies for millions/billions of dollars and if i win i get like 10-40%. if i lose it doesnt matter, because w/ the amount of violent crime in the world, i can just pick another case to use and sue them for, i also dont have to worry about my finances because they get payed by the families i am using.

its also hard to take somebody seriously that allegedly sends very strange emails (http://www.vgcats.com/jack.php)

about the apa link, you are talking about the link to thompsons interview on gamespeak? i read those awhile ago and thompson never actually gave any proof. he just said things as if they were facts but gave nothing to verify them.
did you read the Q&A sessions coming after? claude errera, from halo.bungie.org had this link to study on US school safety issues (http://www.classroomtools.com/safefact.htm) in response to thompsons claims of a video game related rise in school violence.

[Megaraptor]

This guy's been emailed by a lot of gamers and always responds with insults.

[imported_Andy]

sent the guy an email giving him my 2 cent still hasnt replied this was a few weeks ago

[Yuf]

Well, Hillary is certainly grandstanding. Apparently sex with interns in the Oval Office is ok but not sex hidden on a video game. You may be right that this lawyer is out to make a name for himself (and millions of dollars). It's rare that lawyers are strictly concerned with ethics. As far as other violent mediums (Saving Private Ryan was a great production btw), they are passive not active. The APA has allegedly proven distinct differences in the effects. See link from prior post.

Yeah, i've read a few of those studies (Mostly because they were shoved under my nose by a super-conservative instructor), and in a majority of those cases the info seems stretched IMO. The biggest bone I will give is that slaving over a controller and/or keyboard increases hand/eye coordination. I probably wouldn't be able to type half as well as I do iff'n I hadn't spent my earlier years behind a Genesis controller, but overall I feel that those changes are neither good or bad. In my own experience playing shooters didn't help my aim behind a real gun at all. I thought it would (I wanted to be a cop) and spent a few hours every night on Duckhunt honing my skillz. It never helped. I have no doubt that there are kids out there who can score perfect in marksmanship, but i'm willing to bet that 85% of them will have shot a gun before. I feel that there are no definitive studies either way, and until there are, the finger is always going to be planted firmly in gaming's direction - partly because it hasn't "chosen a side yet".

Saving Private Ryan was an excellent movie, and I effing love Spiehlburg for trying to ditch the Hollywood as much as possible.

Hillary I just find offensive. I'm all for a woman as President, but i'd rather she have her own ideas instead of being reminscient of a Stepford Wife. Granted, if she were a free thinker she'd never get support on either side of the sex line.

[numerobofis]

someone should threaten to sue him. of course dont do it, but find a good excuse and scare him.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

well i tried to email him but his email address is no longer availible... it appears he canceld his account... I think we won that battle!

oh and ur sig is dead

[Talus]

I have only one this to add:
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/images/comics/20050808.jpg (http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/?t=archives&date=2005-08-08)

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

Nice!

[IU2002]

Scoggs']well i tried to email him but his email address is no longer availible... it appears he canceld his account...
Sadly I doubt that, its more likely his e-mail box got filled up. Although, under the Comcast AUP he agreed to, he could lose it if someone were to let them know what hes responding to our e-mails with.....

[alecs36]

lol thanks for his e-mail... He's gonna get a really naughty letter.

Also, his e-mail isn't gone. I just sent the e-mail succesfully.

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

hmm.. thats odd it didnt work for me... hey could you maybe post his reply and ur email?

[AirRaidSiren]

Wow, on his website it says those snipers trained on Grand Theft Auto. Lets compare:

Reality: Really good graphics, depending on your eyesight.
GTA: Not so good.

Reality: Holding a big gun.
GTA: Holding a little black controller.

Reality: Aiming by moving the gun and lining up the sights.
GTA: Moving the analog stick with your thumb.

Reality: Pulling a trigger.
GTA: Pressing circle.

Reality: Killing a person.
GTA: Killing some pixels.

Conclusion: WTF.

[high_tail]

im so pissed dude. how about we challenge him to battle field 2 and if he loses he dosnt take away violent video games. i was reading other peoples posts and yeah miami is a **** hole. its only good for vacationing. there are better places than miami. if you look up some of the laws for down here you will see how dumb it is but back to the matter at hand. this guys is crazy. i hope he likes more than a thousand peole standing outside his office protesting.

[FaultySanity]

Really good letter [R-Mod]Scoggs, i commend you!

:D

But really...the SIMS? Jesus, mind as well ban talking and moving because its too sexually suggestive.

[Insane]

305-666-4366

thats apparently his phone number
taken from http://www.vgcats.com/jack.php

someone might of posted this but i didnt want to read through that many pages of forum text.

phone spam ftw.

OR, you can record the conversation and turn it over to the public

[[R-Mod]Scoggs]

hey thanks mate, i'll look into it

[the-arge]

nice letter scoggs,
made me lmao, but i can't really believe that he replyed to you like that but the guy is a muppet so anything is possible. i knew the game was banned in australia but i had no idea it was banned here in the u.s.
i just had a thought that maybe it's not so much the video games as the fact it is so easy to get a gun in the u.s. but then the nra will get upset and who wants to piss off a load of people that own guns i mean i wouldn't. either way if they start banning all the games i love to play then i will proberbly spend more time in bars getting drunk and starting fights which will then only encourage me to drink and drive, i don't think jack is away of the consequants of his actions.

[`danny]

lol you guys should just ignore the guy and not make him more popular..

[BOBSONATOR025]

Grab The Pitchforks!

[H2Yo]

17 pages and everyone has the same opinion on the guy...

[kul]

Check out these 2 Jack Thompson vids:

http://www.g4tv.com/videos/index.html?video_key=9336

http://www.g4tv.com/mediaplayer/index.aspx?video_key=9286

Their mad LOL!

[Knoxxy]

Scoggs']i wish i were kidding.... So.... ANGRY....URGE TO KILL...rising....RISING
Played one to many video games lately? ;)

We should ban lawyers in Florida.

Video Games don't make people want to kill people,
Lawyers in Florida make people want to kill people.

Yeah, and while were at it lets ban construction workers from New York. It's not like they need construction workers in New York or anything.

[Megaraptor]

305-666-4366

thats apparently his phone number
taken from http://www.vgcats.com/jack.php

someone might of posted this but i didnt want to read through that many pages of forum text.

phone spam ftw.

OR, you can record the conversation and turn it over to the public

Recording phone conversations with someone without their consent is illegal IIRC.

[TheInvisibleMan]

Check out these 2 Jack Thompson vids:

http://www.g4tv.com/mediaplayer/index.aspx?video_key=9286

Their mad LOL!

That has got to be one of the funniest things I have seen all summer!!!!!

My wife was like "WTF are you laughing at in there??" :laugh: