The Political Game: Who will save gamers? [update 1]
by Dennis McCauley 
{ Sep 22nd 2006 at 11:57AM }
Each week Dennis McCauley contributes The Political Game, a column on the collision of politics and video games:
Despite an uninterrupted string of constitutional defeats, politicians continue to seek ways to legislate video games. In state capitals from Salt Lake City to Albany, political Captain Ahabs are poring over court opinions, seeking the Great White Legal Loophole. Elected officials and culture cops are tweaking the legalese and experimenting with new tactics – such as equating violent games with pornography. For all their bluster, however, they haven't yet been able to pass even a single law that has survived judicial review.
And they probably never will. The First Amendment, it's a powerful thing.
The collective weight of the critics, however, is taking its toll on the public image of both gamers and the industry. Even the major players feel it. Back in May, ESA boss Doug Lowenstein told the Washington Post. "I don't want to be seen as, 'Here's the guy who defends hideous violent games.'" And while I was at E3, a big-time game company executive -- you'd know the name -- expressed to me in confidence serious reservations over game violence. And that's not a bad thing. It's healthy for the industry to take its own temperature once in a while.
But as gamers, we know the magic of video games, their power to enlighten, entertain and build community. Those who never pick up a controller, however, base their opinions on T.V. news sound bites. Thus, your average soccer mom is convinced that every off-the-wall Flash game is an industry product and that no kid ever picked up a bat or a gun car until prompted to do so by those mysterious cranial menus implanted by video games.
Who will save gamers from this nonsense?
In a perfect world, an industry evangelist would come to the rescue. This person would be appealing to the mainstream, have a zest for mixing it up with critics, not get upset when compared to Saddam Hussein, and understand how to convey the positive power of games. If this seems like you, quick -- send your resume to the ESA. If I were headhunting for this position, I'd be thinking of someone like Reggie Fils-Aime, only with a bit of a snarl when things get ugly. Can you snarl, Reggie?
But Wii all know Fils-Aime is not leaving Nintendo, which leaves just one man gamers can turn to:
Jon Stewart.
The Daily Show host, of course, is not and will never be part of the video game industry. But he is a gamer. And his early-summer skewering of game-legislating Congressmen was a thousand times more effective than any political move I've ever seen the ESA make in public. Rep. Cliff Stearns and his subcommittee gave Doug Lowenstein and ESRB boss Pat Vance a real grilling during the June 14th hearing. But Stewart took the politicians apart piece-by-piece on The Daily Show a few days later. Deftly revealing their pomposity, political grandstanding and utter lack of connection with games, Stewart may well have laid waste to a political career or two. Most of the damage, however, was done by the politicians' own words.
Texas Rep. Joe Barton, for example, sounded silly when he said, "I have to confess, Mr. Chairman, that I am also a video game player. I have worked my way up to Civilization IV. I haven't yet been able to beat it but I at least understand the fundamentals of it."
Congressman, whatever it is you're selling, I'm not buying. Worked your way up from what? Are you saying you beat Civ III? What does "understand the fundamentals" mean? You watched an intern play the tutorial?
Pennsylvania's Joe Pitts, mocked by Stewart for saying that violent games might affect ghetto children differently from affluent kids, actually protested -- after his opponent in a tough election campaign exploited The Daily Show fiasco for political gain.
And that's precisely why Jon Stewart could be the savior of games. People tune in. For many younger viewers, it's the only news program they watch. Stewart, and colleague Stephen Colbert are seen as smart, funny, credible and relentlessly sticking it to the man. Elected officials, on the other hand, can't afford to come off as bumbling, low-tech and clueless. Naturally, Stewart helps them do so on a nightly basis.
Second only to an audit of campaign finances, politicians fear damage to their carefully-honed images. A bit of good-natured bantering with Stewart can help a pol's image enormously, as it has done for John McCain. On the other hand, a few seconds of looking foolish on The Daily Show, followed by endless replays on YouTube could add up to an eventual concession speech.
Let's all hope for more Daily Show segments on game legislation.
[Update: Modified slightly for readability.]
Dennis McCauley is Editor of GamePolitics.com and writes about games for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Opinions expressed in The Political Game are his own. Reach him at dennis@GamePolitics.com.
Despite an uninterrupted string of constitutional defeats, politicians continue to seek ways to legislate video games. In state capitals from Salt Lake City to Albany, political Captain Ahabs are poring over court opinions, seeking the Great White Legal Loophole. Elected officials and culture cops are tweaking the legalese and experimenting with new tactics – such as equating violent games with pornography. For all their bluster, however, they haven't yet been able to pass even a single law that has survived judicial review.And they probably never will. The First Amendment, it's a powerful thing.
The collective weight of the critics, however, is taking its toll on the public image of both gamers and the industry. Even the major players feel it. Back in May, ESA boss Doug Lowenstein told the Washington Post. "I don't want to be seen as, 'Here's the guy who defends hideous violent games.'" And while I was at E3, a big-time game company executive -- you'd know the name -- expressed to me in confidence serious reservations over game violence. And that's not a bad thing. It's healthy for the industry to take its own temperature once in a while.
But as gamers, we know the magic of video games, their power to enlighten, entertain and build community. Those who never pick up a controller, however, base their opinions on T.V. news sound bites. Thus, your average soccer mom is convinced that every off-the-wall Flash game is an industry product and that no kid ever picked up a bat or a gun car until prompted to do so by those mysterious cranial menus implanted by video games.
Who will save gamers from this nonsense?
In a perfect world, an industry evangelist would come to the rescue. This person would be appealing to the mainstream, have a zest for mixing it up with critics, not get upset when compared to Saddam Hussein, and understand how to convey the positive power of games. If this seems like you, quick -- send your resume to the ESA. If I were headhunting for this position, I'd be thinking of someone like Reggie Fils-Aime, only with a bit of a snarl when things get ugly. Can you snarl, Reggie?
But Wii all know Fils-Aime is not leaving Nintendo, which leaves just one man gamers can turn to:
Jon Stewart.
The Daily Show host, of course, is not and will never be part of the video game industry. But he is a gamer. And his early-summer skewering of game-legislating Congressmen was a thousand times more effective than any political move I've ever seen the ESA make in public. Rep. Cliff Stearns and his subcommittee gave Doug Lowenstein and ESRB boss Pat Vance a real grilling during the June 14th hearing. But Stewart took the politicians apart piece-by-piece on The Daily Show a few days later. Deftly revealing their pomposity, political grandstanding and utter lack of connection with games, Stewart may well have laid waste to a political career or two. Most of the damage, however, was done by the politicians' own words.
Texas Rep. Joe Barton, for example, sounded silly when he said, "I have to confess, Mr. Chairman, that I am also a video game player. I have worked my way up to Civilization IV. I haven't yet been able to beat it but I at least understand the fundamentals of it."
Congressman, whatever it is you're selling, I'm not buying. Worked your way up from what? Are you saying you beat Civ III? What does "understand the fundamentals" mean? You watched an intern play the tutorial?
Pennsylvania's Joe Pitts, mocked by Stewart for saying that violent games might affect ghetto children differently from affluent kids, actually protested -- after his opponent in a tough election campaign exploited The Daily Show fiasco for political gain.
And that's precisely why Jon Stewart could be the savior of games. People tune in. For many younger viewers, it's the only news program they watch. Stewart, and colleague Stephen Colbert are seen as smart, funny, credible and relentlessly sticking it to the man. Elected officials, on the other hand, can't afford to come off as bumbling, low-tech and clueless. Naturally, Stewart helps them do so on a nightly basis.
Second only to an audit of campaign finances, politicians fear damage to their carefully-honed images. A bit of good-natured bantering with Stewart can help a pol's image enormously, as it has done for John McCain. On the other hand, a few seconds of looking foolish on The Daily Show, followed by endless replays on YouTube could add up to an eventual concession speech.
Let's all hope for more Daily Show segments on game legislation.
[Update: Modified slightly for readability.]
Dennis McCauley is Editor of GamePolitics.com and writes about games for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Opinions expressed in The Political Game are his own. Reach him at dennis@GamePolitics.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eric Von Shpeel @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:00PM
are there actually any bloggers from Joystiq at TGS, and if so are they gunna start posting some fucking news?
32_Footsteps @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:13PM
You know, one of the reasons I write on video games is because I don't want to depend on anyone else to save me from those that don't understand video games and video gaming. I can only rely on myself. I fully appreciate help, but hoping for someone else to take action is too passive.
If there is any lesson I've ever culled from video gaming, it's these two. One, it's up to you to save the day. Two, it doesn't matter what the odds, a sufficiently skilled single player can pull off anything.
Lone Starr @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:12PM
"And they probably never will. The First Amendment, it's a powerful thing."
Yeah, the First Amendment prevented campaign finance reform from being enacted. Oh wait....
LunarDuality @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:12PM
The attitude of "they probably never will" is dangerous. We cannot simply sit back and wait because every day these politicians are coming up with new ways to circumvent the Bill of Rights.
Also, while I find Jon Stewart funny and also as a solid tool to use in the war against these kinds of politicians, I still worry. I worry that by refusing to take these attacks seriously we open ourselves up to being blind-sided by a well executed attack.
I am especially worried now that there will be a federally funded study on the "effects of video games" on children. We all know that it is easy to lie with statistics and even easier if you are the one funding the research itself.
If the gloom and doom prophecy of these politicians (i.e. video games hurt kids) appears one iota in the study, kiss video gaming as we know it in this country goodbye. Not without a fight, of course...but it will be an uphill battle. As opposed to now when we can passively dismiss these laws as "never gonna fly".
Thank god I am over 18 and can do what I want in this regard, even if they get video games equated with pornography and regulate them similarly.
Roody @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:16PM
If our only hope is Jon Stewart, then we're all screwed. Frankly, we need someone who is RESPECTED by BOTH sides.
And just to put up some evidence, a study was conducted that only proved excessively violent video games DESENSITIZE people to violence. So while I don't play violent video games because I don't enjoy them, (M games) I guess any mature adult can purchase them.
devian @ Sep 23rd 2006 1:20AM
"If our only hope is Jon Stewart, then we're all screwed. Frankly, we need someone who is RESPECTED by BOTH sides."
We also need a utopia where everyone holds hands and sings "Kum Bi Ya" around lit candles. But I don't see your needs or my needs happening any fucking time soon.
vidGuy @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:25PM
Until scientific studies PROVE media violence leads to real-life violence, there is no legal reason for the government to get involved. Look at all of the other personal freedoms that are regulated by law: smoking, safety belts, drugs, alcohol, etc. Each has been proven to have an effect on society, and more than just the person that chooses to involve themselves with the item.
Take this (silly) example. It has been proven that eating a healthy breakfast helps reduce fatness because the metabolism gets jump-started. Just because obesity is a growing problem, does the government have a LEGAL right to REQUIRE every citizen eat breakfast? No, they don't. It's a personal freedom.
When it is proven that media violence leads to real-life violence, the government will be able to regulate media in order to prevent real-life violence, a governmental goal. Until that time, NO legal body has a right to pass ANY law regulating media violence. Every law will have a constitutional challenge, and every law will be struck down.
Lorben @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:28PM
Eric
This is something they run every week. Why would they stop a regular feature of the site because something else is going on? You can also expect the Japanese hardware sales to be posted today, which will also have nothing to do with TGS.
While John Stewart might not be the best candidate but right now there is no public face for video games. He’s a good speaker and can think on his feet, which is more than good enough for me. However I can see him ever seriously becoming the face of video games.
OmahaGTP @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:34PM
If our only hope is Jon Stewart, then we're all screwed. Frankly, we need someone who is RESPECTED by BOTH sides.
That will never happen.
People that watch the Daily Show (possibly you included) know that TDS pokes fun at both sides. It just so happens that the right gives them more ammunition.
TDS rips on CNN almost as much as Fox News. But watching Fox News, you would never know that.
GhostBox @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:52PM
Well gaming is the new favorite punching bag for political opportunists, a new boogey man for the (appropriately named) culture police, the target of legal sharks looking for new definitions to prosecute and vindicate violent defendents and finally the psychiatric community who would perhaps like to medicate every gamer in the country.
It is interesting to note that while the gaming industry continues to win these legal battles in court, the public relations battles seems all but lost. Senator Clinton, Thompson and others seem to have done a pretty good job convincing everyone that the game industry is the devil.
We don't seem to be winning over any new allies with any of these legal victories. In fact it only seems to be inspiring more creative ways to pass regulation.
I'm not sure what it's going to take for the ESA to realize that we need a front man to be the talking head on the news shows and to be the counter puncher to Thompson.........but it's long overdue for them to make a smart move.
Wild Homes @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:56PM
I think the reason there isn't much TGS news is because it doesn't seem like there's much TGS news to report. I haven't seen any of the sites really putting up much stuff of note, except for the LAIR preview at IGN and yesterday's IGN BioShock exclusive.
anyone who thought TGS would step up now that E3 is neutered is crazy. TGS is a boring joke so far this year. the only good thing that's happened this week is the Live Marketplace videos for the Valve stuff. the Portal video is outstanding.
_if at first you don't succeed, you die._
_this level is impossible._
Marty @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:56PM
Considering it is 2AM in the morning in Tokyo (or something like that) there probably won't be any new news. They posted tons of news from yesterdays TGS... Any Joystiq bloggers in Tokyo are either sleeping right now or out partying!!
Wild Homes @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:16PM
I think the last thing the industry needs is to create a counter to Jack Thompson. ultimately, putting someone on television to rebut Thompson's complaints only lowers the industry's position-- the situation will be reduced to petty infighting, and will make the industry look weak. what they need to do is overhaul the ESRB and the ratings system and take the initiative to block the sale of M-rated titles to minors while it's still this industry's decision to make. if we as gamers form a slovenly incensed mass protesting any sort of responsibility on the industry's part, the government will only continue to fight to regulate our favorite hobby (not masturbating. that's number two. I meant playing videogames), and that pressure is going to have consequences we can't predict. if we're all honest, we know young children shouldn't have access to adult games, so why don't we take the fight away from the government's hands and police ourselves more effectively?
I'm not against fighting. I'm just more for picking the right battles.
Eggman @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:59PM
Although I live in Canada (and am damn glad this isn't being exploited here) I do feel that any regulation in the states could have major impact around the world as developers are forced to meet demand. So far I'm pretty impressed by the court system where they've been able to look at the evidence objectively and actually argue in favor of the industry (as opposed to jumping the bandwagon).
I really hate these politicians trying to further their careers by screwing a large group of people. What worries me is its REALLY easy to come up with biased studies. If the politicians have their way, they could, sooner or later, compile enuf research from sources in their favor and eventually steamroll the courts with said information.
What we need is some kind of national (global?) association defending the industry. The ESA is a start but doesn't have the kind of membership/funds (i'd imagine) required to tackle all these fronts at the same time. This is similar to the NRA which, although politicians keep attacking, they've been unable to do much as the association not only has bought out MANY other politicians but has deep roots within government, funding, and other areas. We need something like this.
James F. @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:14PM
I think the best we, the gaming community, could ever hope for, would be if Jack Thompson showed up on The Daily Show.
After watching the terrible "roundtable" on G4's A.O.T.S where Adam Sessler, who I generally like, probobly filled his adult diaper from stammering so much. I realized that Thompson would be a perfect Daily Show piece or guest. Which is exactly why he would never go on T.D.S.. Thompson is an opportunist and going into a true gauntlet where he could actually be exposed as a carpetbagger and de-legitamized serves no opportunity for him.
But at the end of the day what is it that we fear from government regulation? Is it a "big chill" effect where "good" games dont get made; because if the average snot nosed 12 year old cant pick it up it won't be profitable? That doesn't wash since the average age of a console gamer AFIK is about 24.
Now IF the video game industry was exactly like or even sort of like the hollywood movie industry then I could understand the fear. To get a big budget movie to the screen it has to be a dumbed/softened machine that will hit the magic pg-13 rating to break even or make money from box office take. Allthough nearly all the "best" movies are rated "R" for one riddiculous reason or another its the pg13 movies that are much more certain to pay the bills. Now, as of late, DVD sales have turned this thinking on its head somewhat. This is due to many box office flunks, especially rated R ones, making big bucks on DVD. But film companies are publicly traded and the public "knows" that 200+mill is wayyyy to much to spend on an "R film". I'm looking forward to watching the upcoming doc This film has not been rated. Can't you tell?
In short what are we or anyone video games related afraid of/concerned about? A big chill on creativity in gaming? Or a big chill on the bottom line? Would heavy regulation modify your gaming/purchasing habits? Do you really care if some nine year old can't buy God/Gears of war? The ESRB, which is funded by many publicly traded companies, can wave the first ammendment around all they want but at the end of the day they are CLEARLY more concerned with Wall Street than the caliber/diversity of games we play or the freedom of our speech.
As I look back over what I typed im sure it might sound a bit mixed in opinion. Passionate about gaming aside, to me it seems hard to be so clear cut. This like so many other issues is diminished in import when it becomes a polarized discussion. Because if it is so black and white an issue than ultimately if you are anti-game legislation than essentially you are pro-corporate money grubbing. Which I dont think any of us want to be here.
Politicians do whatever they can to tap into national collective guilt game bills are simply another result of this.
Ahms @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:43PM
I was going to post something similar to you #15. Well said
"Who will save gamers?" Umm, from what?
canebi @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:49PM
I love being in Canada, the US will run itself into the ground eventually.
Lone Starr @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:51PM
@ canebi,
"I love being in Canada, the US will run itself into the ground eventually."
That makes no sense. If the US were to run itself into the ground, Canada would lose it's largest trade partner. Similarly, if anything happened to Canada, the US would also lose it's largest trade partner. Basically, if something horrible happens in one, the other will feel it as well.
Derbeste @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:57PM
Better to hit the ground than to be 6 feet under like Canada.
Pixelantes Anonymous @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:10PM
"Although I live in Canada (and am damn glad this isn't being exploited here)"
I can already hear the battleground being readied up in the general vicnity of Montreal. Just check GamePolitics.com for the coverage in your local newspapers.
Some elected official running for re-election is going to pick up the challenge and run with it. It's going to happen.
OtakuCODE @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:01PM
Books, plays, paintings, and other forms of entertainment and creative expression are not rated and age-limited. What makes you say the first amendment is a powerful thing if yourself and other members of the public bend over and accept ratings and age restrictions on content?
It is infinitely more important that people understand the BIG ISSUE that contains games, rather than like games themselves. Nobody should mind that Joe Q. Public has never played a game before. That's primarily a concern for the marketing department of a console manufacturer. The part that affects everyone that shares a society with them, gamers included, is whether they understand that expression of ideas should be FREE. Whether they understand that no idea or creative expression of an idea has ever hurt anyone, EVER. If they'd understand this, they would do stupid things like sign on for rating games, and we'd never even get close to talk about banning games.
There will always be those who complain that any thing which brings pleasure in any form is evil. The problem is that currently, these people are 99% of all parents. We need to get it back to the natural percentage of 1% of complete raving whackos that are so screwed up in the head they believe these ridiculous things. Yes, it's a big job, but it needs to be done.
Do not give in and consent to the idea of game ratings. Do not give in and say 'oh well, maybe a really bad game could hurt a kid' simply because you HOPE they'll stop there and not ban the games outright. Games don't hurt kids for the same reason books don't hurt kids. And they both should be UNRATED and UNREGULATED for the same reason!
FSK405K @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:44PM
Let's just rename Joystiq as dennismccauley.com and give it some video content. I'm continually impressed by his writing. Great work, man!
Seer S @ Sep 22nd 2006 5:12PM
"The First Amendment, it's a powerful thing."
Actually, beofre the fourteenth amendment, nothing in the first amendment applied to the states, only the national government.
Wild Homes @ Sep 22nd 2006 5:24PM
Otaku: that's a dangerous way to misunderstand things. the exchange and expression of ideas should be free, absolutely. but that does not in any way lead directly to the conclusion that a ratings system should not exist for games. it would not undermine the free expression in our country if the videogames industry would police its own a little better, and enforce guidelines for selling adult content to minors. the government seems bent on the idea of halting the creation and sale of violent games, but the videogame industry could dodge a lot of this legislation, if not sidestep the government's motion entirely, by overhauling the ESRB and the ratings system and forcing retailers to abide by those ratings.
the other alternative is that the industry do nothing, and the government continues to go after it until eventually they get what they want.
Ninja Commando Extraordinaire @ Sep 22nd 2006 5:56PM
#20
"Do not give in and consent to the idea of game ratings. Do not give in and say 'oh well, maybe a really bad game could hurt a kid' simply because you HOPE they'll stop there and not ban the games outright. Games don't hurt kids for the same reason books don't hurt kids. And they both should be UNRATED and UNREGULATED for the same reason!"
Games aren't regulated by any federal body, or any governing body at all. You're carded because Walmart wants to maintain their family friendly image and thus cards you to make sure you're actually a concenting adult whose parents can't come back and sue the corp. later for corrupting you. Second, the ratings on the box are for your parents, not if you're over the age of 18.
Bill Toomey @ Sep 23rd 2006 8:34AM
The power of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart isn't their ability to connect "both sides" it's their ability to appeal to the masses. While I often disagree with them there are plenty of folks out there who start their consumption of the news with the Daily Show and the Colber Report.
I don't think Stewart or Colbert are necessarily listened too by policy makers - but they are listened to by a vast portion of the people. That said, I often wish we could hear more from them on Net Neutrality, Video Game Violence, and other tech topics if only to get the people invested in these issues.
They create buzz and that's very important today. Many people don't know what's going on and others just don't care. A push from this section of the media could do alot to change that.
jack thompson @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:12AM
Actually, the better question is this: Who will save idiot gamers from themselves?
The answer is this: I shall.
I'm holding a nationally significant news conference Monday to announce what will be a major blow to the let's-molest-minors-for-money video game industry. The media are lined up, and will be there. Trust me.
Oh, and for all you gamers whose frontal lobes--or what is left of them--I seek to save: You're welcome!
In Christ, Jack Thompson, Your Humble But Persevering Servant HOOAH!
jack thompson @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:17AM
Oh, here's a little interesting tidbit for you Jon Stewart lapdogs: Steven Colbert (very funny guy)has a brother Jim Colbert, although he pronounces the T.
Jim is the assistant DA in Los Angeles (City of Angels for you gamers who don't read much). Colbert is the lead attorney in the LA lawsuit against Take-Two for the fraudulent marketing and sale of GTA: SA.
He's a very nice guy, and he really likes the information I gave him. Go figure.
Oh, and for imparting this information: You're welcome again.
Now: Put down the controller, step back from the platform, and get a life. Jack Thompson
jack thompson @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:41AM
Immediate News Release – 9/23/06
Landmark Lawsuit to Be Filed Monday against Video Game Industry
Last March and July, Miami attorney and anti-violent video game activist appeared on CBS’ 60 Minutes to discuss a wrongful death lawsuit he filed, along with co-counsel, against Sony, Take-Two, Wal-Mart, and GameStop for making and selling to an Alabama teen the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City game. The cop-killing murder simulator trained this teen to kill three cops in Alabama. Four experts who have testified before Congress have told the Alabama court that if he had not played the game, he would not have killed. Strong stuff, but it happens to be true.
Now the Alabama Supreme Court has rejected the industry’s bogus First Amendment arguments, and the case is proceeding to trial this next year. Damages sought are $600 million, and that may be low, as Alabama’s statutes require punitive damages based upon the net worth of the corporate targets. Is this a great state or what!
On Monday, September 25, Thompson will journey to another state and announce, with his co-counsel, the filing of what will likely prove to be hugely significant wrongful death action against Sony and Take-Two. The angel is in the details, as this battle in the “culture war” may indeed eclipse even what is going on in Alabama.
On thing Thompson will talk about at the news conference are the ways in which the industry has targeted him and his family for harm in retaliation for his appearance on 60 Minutes. Anyone who has seen The Insider, whose title role was played by Russell Crowe as Jeffrey Weigand, the Big Tobacco whistleblower, knows what Thompson is going through. Leading the extortion charge is the giant Philadelphia law firm of Blank Rome, which gives more money to George Bush than anyone. Blank Rome is Take-Two’s registered lobbyist on Capitol Hill, specializing in “opposition research and destruction.”
One thing that is useful in what is going to occur Monday is that the prosecutor of the kid who killed in this instance actually called Thompson and asked him to bring this lawsuit. That’s the equivalent of “man bites dog.” Law enforcement typically circles the wagons when a perp who has killed trains to do so on virtual reality simulators, because of the short-sided, knee-jerk, public safety-endangering response of law enforcement that “We don’t want to explain this behavior, because it looks like an excuse.”
That’s an understandable response, but a deadly dangerous one, as our society must come to grips, and quickly, with the fact that entertainment copycat killings are occurring all over the place. Just take a look at what happened this month at Dawson College in Montreal.
Contact Jack Thompson for more details at 305-666-4366.
sled @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:43AM
Want to get back at Pitts? Go give 10 bucks to his opponent in November's election. Her name is Lois Herr, and her site it http://www.loisherr.us.
MDS @ Sep 23rd 2006 9:48AM
Sounds like the same ol' song & dance from Jack: "I'm having a super-important press conference that EVERYONE's gonna attend. Seriously. TRUST ME."
I've said it before, and I'll say it again--"trust me" don't feed the bulldog. I'll believe when I see it on CNN, CNBC and/or Fox News.
Oh, and as of yesterday morning at approximately 11:27 a.m., I've been licensed and sworn-in to practice law. So, who's going to protect gamers and the principles of the First Amendment from opportunist politicians and attorneys pretending to care about the children? The answer is: "I shall."
P.S. Jesus did many things to try to help humanity--only HE didn't send a press release out every time he did so, nor did he end every conversation with HOOAH! Just some food for thought.
IanC @ Sep 23rd 2006 12:06PM
Thanks JT - but i dont need saving.
Jerkass.
KungFu-tse @ Sep 23rd 2006 12:11PM
NEWSFLASH!
Jack Thompson is so desperate for media attention, he has to post his press releases the comments section of the Joystiq website. Due to insufficient funds and lack of competence, Mr. Thompson is unable to get his own freaking website and make his press releases from there.
kurisu7885 @ Sep 23rd 2006 12:15PM
Thanks for the update Thompson. Now I'll know when to laugh when no one shows up. Listen, I read, only the books I read are soem of the ones you would prefer to burn, such as the Harry potter series. I've also read such gems as Brain Droppings and Napalm and Silly putty by George Carlin, and No Shirt No Shoes No Problem by Jeff Foxworthy. comedians. And gues what. They sell more books than you. Imagine that. I wonder if it has to d owith the fact that they don't lie[they may elaborate, but they sure as hell don't lie] they don't insult left and right, especially not to people who are importann. Adn they are at least civil to those who don't agree with them. So Jack, Shut up, step away fro mthe computer, quit trying to be everybody's parents, and YOU get a life.
Oh, and youcan quit baiting us with your phone number, it's gettin old.
Automancer @ Sep 24th 2006 12:48PM
You know, Jack, if we cared, we would ask you. But we don't care so kindly stop posting garbage in Joystiq's comment section.
P.S. You can stop posting your phone number now everyone who wanted to call you has called you. We all won't call you because we hear that your voice is effeminate.
-Auto
Zento @ Sep 23rd 2006 1:39PM
Everytime Jack Thompson opens his mouth, he always seems to remind of Al Gore's character on the South Park episode "ManBearPig".
In it, he runs around trying to warn the public of the single greatest threat to humanity...ManBearPig, a creature who is half-man, half-bear, and half-pig. Already, you can see the similarities between the character and Jack Thompson, like their flawed and borderline retarded logic.
Later in the episode, Gore takes the kids to a cave where he believes ManBearPig might be hiding, and in the process causes the cave entrances to collapse and traps the kids in the cave. The similarities continue, where both Gore and Thompson ask other people for help, then end up screwing their "helpers" over while they come out unscathed and being able to continue spewing their nonsense.
Now, while everyone else is trying to get the kids out (keep in the mind that this is the main problem), Gore runs around telling people to forget about the kids and instead flood the cave in hopes of drowning ManBearPig. Obviously, no one listens or believes him, so Gore starts growing upset and cries and yells, "I'm super serial!" Again with the similarities, Gore and Thompson continue to ignore the main problem, and instead choose a course of action where they end up hurting people instead of helping them. And now that people are ignoring his "advice", he grows whiny and child-like.
So, deciding to take matters into his own hands again, Gore puts a dam in a nearby river, causing water to flow into the cave. Now everyone believes the kids are dead, and during the funeral they hold at the cave, Gore gives a speech: "And although ManBearPig is now dead, it came at a heavy price, and we'll never forget the names of those four little boys...Kid #1, Kid #2, Kid #3, and Kid #4." Just like Gore, Thompson always seems to hold people back from solving the real problem. And while he claims that he's helping the victims, he really doesn't care about them as long as he gets what he wants.
I know this comparison sounds confusing and you really need to see the episode in order to understand what I'm saying, but all you really need to remember is this...Jack Thompson is not helping to fix the problem, he's only hindering it. And all so he can get what he wants.
Sbell42 @ Sep 23rd 2006 1:38PM
It's a shame that a social parasite like Jack could make a career out of filing nuisance suits and attacking free speech (not just in games, but in music and radio).
However much of a threat video games may pose to minors, people like him, who crusade to "save us from ourselves," ultimately pose the larger threat.
"Where they burn books, they will end in burning human beings." -Heinrich Heine.
Flipside @ Sep 23rd 2006 1:42PM
This Jack Thompson is so worse than a serial flasher, I suppose we should be glad he comes of here to expose himself rather than doing the rounds at local schools.
GetWellGamers @ Sep 23rd 2006 1:46PM
Still avoiding any real information, Jack? Typical.
Hey, remember your "Billet-proof" bill in LA? How'd that work for you? Or what about the seven other bills that failed to pass constitutional muster?
Face it, Jack, you're trying to go on a witch hunt, but no one is superstitious anymore.
By the way, I'm still waiting to hear what was so libelous and false about the Kennesaw State University editorial, but of course you're too much of a coward to defend yourself. No, you just go off and attack somebody else.
This is what made you so pathetic on GamePolitics, you know. You would never respond to any real criticisms and arguments, because you didn't have the capability. All you could do was resort to childish name-calling.
Coward!
devian @ Sep 23rd 2006 10:38PM
"28. Oh, here's a little interesting tidbit for you Jon Stewart lapdogs: Steven Colbert (very funny guy)has a brother Jim Colbert, although he pronounces the T."
Jim is the assistant DA in Los Angeles (City of Angels for you gamers who don't read much). Colbert is the lead attorney in the LA lawsuit against Take-Two for the fraudulent marketing and sale of GTA: SA."
Here's a little interesting tidbit for your lack of research and arrogance:
"On September 11, 1974, when Colbert was ten years old, his father and two brothers, Peter and Paul, were killed in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 while it was attempting to land in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were reportedly on route to enroll the two boys at Canterbury High School in New Milford, Connecticut."
But... but.. but HE HAS COLBERT AS A LAST NAME! Yeah, I'm related to every fucking person who has my last name too.
You have more holes in your information than the holes in this innocent pedestrian that I shot with an uzi in GTA:SA.
Warren Lewis @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:29PM
Immediate News Release – 9/23/06
Anti-Jack Thompson activist to counter post made by Jack Thompson.
Not too long ago, Anti-Jack Thompson activist and self-proclaimed video game expert Warren Lewis Correctly "predicted" Jack Thompson's postings on Joystiq, a video game news site. Lewis, who is an claims he is an expert becuase he knows close to eight games like the back of his hand (NES, SNES, PSX and PS2 games) has read Thompson's press release and will counter.
"Jack Thompson is exploiting the people he comes in contact with" Lewis said this afternoon. "He cannot wait for a school shooting to occur so he can tell the greif-striken victim's families that videogames played a lead role in the death of their child. Jack Thompson is "whoring" himself to news corporations, the families whose children who are victims to school shootings, and to the courts, that are writing video game laws." Warren Lewis is clearly disguisted at Thompson's behavior. After reading the press release Lewis had said the following:
"I am not a "'Jon Stewart lapdog.'" and 'I don't need saving. especally not from you Thompson.'
Warren Lewis has lived in Raleigh, North Carolina for almost four years now, and lives in a neighborhood that is owned by a landGRUBBing, moneyGRUBBing devloper (whose last name is Grubb ironicly.) who has started tearing it down to put up single family homes that cost about $400,000-$450,000 and is sick and depressed over the whole thing.
Warren Lewis can be contacted at cecil475@earthlink.net
Benjamin McDowell @ Sep 23rd 2006 7:16PM
Thompson, you are funny. You make me laugh.
Because what happened in "the insider" is not even close to what's happening to you.
No one is digging up everything you've ever done, no one is insulting, assaulting, or threating your family, no one is threatening you that has any chance of following through.
Oh, and The insider was actually a good movie, compared to what you've shown and the lies you have.
The_E @ Sep 24th 2006 1:13AM
This is to Jack (although I think every message other than Jack stroking his.....nvm. Every message on this response thread is in some way addressed to that retard.)
Anyways, I still want to know when the parents of these so-called "childen" are ever going to be held accountable. All the politicians and lawyers and even parents do these days is blame the video game companies for making games which people(child OR adult) buy, surprisingly. When do we start blaming the parents for these teens putting bullets in cops or other teens? These kids/adults didn't just wake up one day and say to themself "I think I'm gonna go kill a cop." They don't just suddenly want to go shoot their classmates because they played a video game.
Childen, teenages, young adults, whatever you want to refer to them as are all still trying to grow up and figure out how to live. But wait who shows them that? You're telling me video games are teaching our kids how to live? Hell no. Its parents who do that or who we hope do that. But yet when the parents don't follow through on teaching their child who they brought into the world how to live, how to act, how to eat, how to sleep, how to go to the bathroom, somehow its the society's fault or a video game's fault or jack thompson's fault....oh woops that must have slipped out. Half of these teens who go on a shooting spree through their school or hometown usually were ignored, beated, molested, abused, or otherwise just not cared for by their parent(s). That doesn't just somehow magically "vanish" after playing a video game. If a child has been seriously abused or beaten I garauntee they will lash out at some point in their life onto themself or others in many different ways, one of which is using a gun to shoot others. It wasn't a video game that instilled the rage to do that and it wasn't a video game that taught them to hate the world. It was their parents not giving a damn whether they're alive or not.
Just because a person plays a video game such as GTA doesn't mean they will inevitably go and shoot another human. Yes, the child did play video games and yes he/she did go and kill people with a gun, but just because the two events happened doesn't mean one caused the other.
"Thats like me telling the world I play video games and in the past 3 months have lost 25 lbs. So obviously everyone should play video games because you will lose weight."
Oh did I forget to mention in my GROUNDBREAKING news that I go to the gym 4 days a week? But it seems you Jack Thompson and the rest of your dumbass bureaucrats are going to always confuse correlation and causation until the end of time.
But seriously you CAN lose weght from playing video games, I mean its common knowledge. You're just not in the know....
jack thompson @ Sep 24th 2006 5:10AM
As to what is being done to me by the video game industry, Insider-style: Sweetie, you have no idea. How idiotic that you would claim to know. Stay tuned. You might learn something. In the interim, I'd had my life threatened repeatedly and other stuff done that I'm not going to publish here. How dare you assert that you know something about something you know absolutely nothing about!
As to the rest of you gamers, please note: The goofball who made the above comment is typical of the video gamer's argument, and it goes like this: I don't want something to be true, so I'll assume it it not, and then work forward from there.
As to the Colbert information: He has another brother. I've spoken with him. His name is Jim. He's confirmed he's Steven's brother. Wow, how stupid can gamers be? Very it seems.
Boffo97 @ Sep 24th 2006 6:43AM
"How dare you assert that you know something about something you know absolutely nothing about!"
This comment from Jack Thompson is the height of hypocrisy and irony.
Hey, Jack. Only an isolated few (that you provoked) threatened your life. Just like only an isolated few commit any kind of real life violence. These people have problems that would express themselves whether or not games existed.
Games do not create the problems.
MDS @ Sep 24th 2006 8:59AM
"How dare you assert that you know something about something you know absolutely nothing about!"
Translation:
"Hello, kettle? This is pot--you're black."
And what else does Jack have to say this good morning?
"As to what is being done to me by the video game industry, Insider-style..."
Oh, ever the freakin' martyr, this guy is. I'll be out on the veranda, Jack--I can see you're already on the cross.
jccalhoun @ Sep 24th 2006 9:56AM
Jack,
How's that website coming? You know, jackandgoliath.com that you said you were launching back in February? http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/203965.html
Did you use the same Fisher-Price phone to talk to Jim Colbert that you used to talk to the police investigating the Jacob Robida case?
It is funny how you keep mentioning the Alabama case but always seem to forget to mention that you were kicked off of that case...
The_E @ Sep 24th 2006 10:16AM
Jack,
I still don't see where you're going with your argument(if it even "was" an argument). You didn't even try and disprove my theory. You just changed the subject about what I said.
As for you being threatened, yah well thats your own fault. The way you talk to people and the way you treat people reflects how people will treat you back. If you're going to be blatantly ignorant about what goes on outside of your comfy little "box" then so be it.
Let me leave you with one more example, maybe it will become clearer to you then. A person owns a gun, they also are in the organization known as the KKK. Clearly, if you own a gun you must be in the KKK by using Jack Thompson's "deductive" reasoning. Jack is also saying that we should go after the gun manufacturer's because they are the ones to blame for people being in the KKK.
Yah Jack maybe you could try and "argue" your point instead of acting like a five year old.
-The E
Warren Lewis @ Sep 24th 2006 12:34PM
Jack Thompson says -
I'd had my life threatened repeatedly and other stuff done that I'm not going to publish here.
------------------------------------------
Is that becuase it never happened?
- Warren Lewis
CharitableKarma @ Sep 24th 2006 3:18PM
Don't forget to include in this little tantrum of yours on Monday how someone destroyed a book you autographed for charity. Not to mention that lovely quote you left on qj.net that sums up your whole crusade as well:
"You gamers are such blind hypocrites that you don't see the inconcistency, the juvenile pettiness of destroying that with which you disagree."
You know, since you seem to say almost the exact same thing every day with "say goodbye to violent video games", or "bye bye Rockstar", and the rest of your nausiatingly hypocritical remarks.
Oh, and if anyone wants to see what *did* happen to that autographed book, well here's a little linky for you:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4vyhZ79_8G0
Enjoy everyone. And remember Jack, you're gonna fail.