MSNBC: video games an 'easy scapegoat'

by Ross Miller { Feb 19th 2008 at 2:15PM }

In the wake of the NIU shooting and various pundits finding ways to link violent video games to the tragedy, MSNBC has decided to defend video games, specifically calling out infamous attorney Jack Thompson for his self promotion during school shootings. (They have done this once before during the Virginia Tech massacre.)

In a piece entitled "Playing the blame game: Why search our souls when video games make such an easy scapegoat?" MSNBC's Winda Benedetti writes, "Faster than you can say wild speculation and reckless sensationalism, [Thompson] leapt in front of Fox News cameras and suggested that video games were to blame." Later, Benedetti adds, "The fact is, one would be hard pressed to find a young man of Kazmierczak's age who has not played video games."

Thompson is, unsurprisingly, a bit put out. In an email to MSNBC legal department forwarded to us by Thompson, the Miami attorney asserted his intention to "bring a civil action in state court in Flordia for libel." Thompson further called the two articles "hit pieces" and "crazed and libelous screed" and mentions that NBC did not mind having him on the Today Show / NBC Nightly news about ten times.

"But once my criticism began to inconvenience Bill Gates' NBC partner, Microsoft, (MSNBC.com is a 50/50 partnership) then all of a sudden I'm the Anti-Christ," said Thompson.

Tags: jack-thompson, msnbc, niu

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Rollins @ Feb 19th 2008 2:18PM

Giving him the title of the Anti-Christ would be giving him far too much credit.

bigd7387 @ Feb 19th 2008 4:50PM

Doesn't the Anti-Christ have to be likeable? He's more like a Pro-Dick.

please @ Feb 19th 2008 5:11PM

Gunmen sent his girlfriend the "Anti-Christ" Now we know what happens when a atheist goes off his meds.

Ignatius @ Feb 19th 2008 7:50PM

That's a horribly misconstrued statement.

If you can believe this, there are more Christians in jail than atheists... and that's by ratio, not by headcount.

Marty @ Feb 19th 2008 2:19PM

Between Keith Olbermann and this, I'm starting to like MSNBC a bit more.

epsilon343 @ Feb 19th 2008 2:24PM

I'm loving them even more. I've been an avid viewer for almost 8 years now and they continue to win my support, especially with things like this.

The only time that I heard them talking about video games and the shooting was the next day, I believe, and it was a student they were interviewing who was stating he played CS along with the rest of the floor. Unlike Fox Noise, they've stayed above the fray and haven't bought into the crazed finger pointing at video games and those who play them.

Dadidito @ Feb 19th 2008 3:26PM

Have to admit that MSNBC has been the most watchable of the 3 cable news networks. Fox is so sensational they'll put there own mothers on tv if it creates some kind of scandal. CNN should change its name to the BHLNN (bleeding heart liberals news network). MSNBC seems to have decided that there is merit in telling BOTH sides of the story. Keep up the good work.

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Feb 19th 2008 3:32PM

+1 HP for msnbc

Anticrawl @ Feb 19th 2008 9:12PM

The read link should have been directed here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23204875/ rather than back to Joystiq, kinda lame.

Read the full article though, great read.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 19th 2008 2:20PM

Did he just admit that he's the anti-christ? Well, that takes the guessing game out of the whole end of the world issue.

Jamma @ Feb 19th 2008 3:42PM

"Well, that takes the guessing game out of the..."

I thought it was the games that ruined everything?

NATO_Duke @ Feb 19th 2008 4:36PM

touche!

Shadrach @ Feb 19th 2008 2:25PM

gotta admit, he has a good point

not saying he's not the Anti-Christ...but MSNBC are definitely hypocrites here

ThornedVenom (Ludwig Defense Force) @ Feb 19th 2008 2:28PM

An enemy of my enemy is my friend.

FOXHOUND @ Feb 19th 2008 2:34PM

Well, he basically kicked his meal ticket in the teeth. What did he expect to happen?

Lianne @ Feb 19th 2008 5:37PM

How are they hypocrites? If anything, it's a good thing they had him on the show. It proves they're not afraid to present all viewpoints, even if those views may be ludicrous.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 19th 2008 2:23PM

Nice... a new Jack Thompson pic to Photoshop! =)

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 19th 2008 2:30PM

Tip: Joystiq... why don't you make a Jack Thompsonsphotoshop contest for some GDC goodies =)

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Feb 19th 2008 2:34PM

They don't want to get sued for libel, duh. I mean, if calling him out on his credibility is "libel", then photoshopping a picture of him having gay sex with the masterchief would definitely get you sued.

I didn't say that last part. Don't sue me.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 19th 2008 2:38PM

http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p236/fernando_rocker/?action=view¤t=JackThompson.jpg

=p

ThornedVenom (Ludwig Defense Force) @ Feb 19th 2008 2:51PM

Fernando.... I want to play that game. XD

Mr Intel @ Feb 19th 2008 2:52PM

good work fernando

very funny +1

Matt B @ Feb 19th 2008 4:22PM

Jack starring in a violent M rated game..ohhh the irony.

Booxatron @ Feb 19th 2008 4:36PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/booxatroox/jt-mugshot-225.jpg

Cyro @ Feb 19th 2008 2:24PM

Thats right! MS defend your money making machine! hahaha

Roto13 @ Feb 19th 2008 2:39PM

xD!

Shagittarius @ Feb 19th 2008 2:26PM

Thompson is such a douche.

Silly Sauce @ Feb 19th 2008 2:26PM

Jack Thompson makes my panties wet.

Brian @ Feb 19th 2008 3:05PM

There's something not right about you boy.

License to ill @ Feb 19th 2008 3:52PM

If you looked like that wouldn't you be a little off?

Imran @ Feb 19th 2008 2:28PM

10th

Neebs @ Feb 19th 2008 2:47PM

even less of a non accomplishment than first.

Jomolungma @ Feb 19th 2008 2:28PM

That's it Jack, OWN IT.

I have a tag line I coined for the show TMZ which reads "TMZ: Documenting the decline of western civilization one Britney episode at a time." I think I need to find room for the big JT in there, because he is clearly asserting his desire to be the pied piper of our descension into hell. What a tool.

ProfWho @ Feb 19th 2008 2:30PM

What a litigious piece of shit. I bet his suit against NBC will be as successful as when he sued Janette Reno.

Jomolungma @ Feb 19th 2008 2:37PM

Well, I haven't checked my torts book in a while, but libel may be subject to the public-figure exception, in which case his suit will probably be tossed since it would be hard for him to argue he isn't a public (dis)figure(ment).

Gus! @ Feb 19th 2008 4:36PM

This is pretty accurate, libel is excempted to the press in the case of public figures. I think it would be pretty difficult for Jack Thompson to contest that he is "not a public figure" considering how much camera jumping he does. On a second note, I wonder who would represent him in FL, wasn't he disbarred?

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Feb 19th 2008 4:46PM

Disbarring will most likely occur in april.

Korova @ Feb 19th 2008 9:35PM

Also truth is a defense to allegation of libel. A winner in this case.

SoulBlade @ Feb 19th 2008 2:35PM

MSNBC ftw! If games really played a significant role in violence, there'd be shootings every hour. Just look at the number of people who play games like Halo, COD4, etc.

Some people are just idiots...

Organic_Shadow @ Feb 19th 2008 2:36PM

No Jacko, you've ALWAYS been the anti-christ! It just took a woman like me for you to realize that... xoxoxo

John Z @ Feb 19th 2008 2:37PM

"Thompson further called the two articles "hit pieces" and "crazed and libelous screed""...

*snrk*

*snort*

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

xFenixKnightx @ Feb 19th 2008 2:38PM

He has a butt chin.

eldee @ Feb 19th 2008 2:41PM

jack, you were the antichrist long before this news segment aired.

Zertoss @ Feb 19th 2008 2:43PM

PROTIP: It's not libel if it's true.

Vanderbilt University must be SO proud of this shining example of the results of their training.

Chris @ Feb 19th 2008 2:44PM

Ok, let me get this straight.

Mr. Thompson has been going on a long rampage about video games. He talks about how specific games are too violent or a menace to our society, etc.... Without a care in the world.

But when someone else goes out in public and says something negative about Mr. Thompson, it all of a sudden becomes libel?

Nice logic there, Jack......