Things haven't been going well for the Utah gaming bill that ex-attorney Jack Thompson penned and, for that matter, the gentleman himself. After sending out an email to a variety of Utah legislators a few weeks back, the man came under threat of legal action from Utah senate president Michael Waddoups. And today, GamePolitics is reporting that the bill's original sponsor, state representative Mike Morley, has written an email to his colleagues apologizing for Thompson's actions (printed in full after the break).
Morley writes to his fellow reps that, "[Thompson] doesn't speak for me nor do I condone or appreciate his actions nor some his tactics," seemingly ending his relationship with Thompson. Unsurprisingly, Thompson has responded to Morley's email (also found after the break), claiming, "Mike Morley's apology is ridiculous. I didn't scandalous [sic] anyone with an image of two clad women." He further posits, "Your family values stance is a sham," refererring to the legislators he wrote. We're not sure of many things in politics, but we are sure of this: You probably shouldn't directly insult the people you'd like to support you. While this is likely the last time you'll hear about this Utah bill, we're 100 percent sure this isn't the last time you'll hear from Jack Thompson.
[image source]
Mike Morley's email:
Subject: My apologies for Jack Thompson
Dear Fellow House Members:
Over the past few days, I have received three emails from Jack Thompson regarding his concerns about mature video games being sold to minors. Certainly, I am concerned about the graphic violence and sexuality of some of the mature video games, I am apalled by his use of what I view as pornographic images. I want to make it clear that I had no previous knowledge of his intention to send the images and I apologize to each of you who received his email and were offended as I was.
Mr. Thompson is a nation [sic] advocate for this cause, but he doesn't speak for me nor do I condone or appreciate his actions nor some his tactics.
Mike Morley
Jack Thompson's response:
I understand that Mike Morley apologized to you all for the shocking image I sent you of two women in bikinis in a strip club. Sorry, Utahns, but you can see that on a beach. To see more explicit material as to what is in the GTA IV game, you had to click on the two links I provided, and that was your choice. I warned you what you would see if you chose to do so.
Mike Morley's apology is ridiculous. I didn't scandalous [sic] anyone with an image of two clad women. What is really going on here is that I upset the Republican club that runs Utah, and those in that club are seizing upon this harmless image as a ruse to scold the outsider who unfortunately showed that some in Utah aren't serious about protecting children. Your Governor isn't serious, and we sure as heck know your AG is not. Heck, he takes money from the video game industry to say how well the ratings are working... Incredible.
The only apology that is owed is by each of you for not insisting upon an override session [of Gov. Huntsman's HB 353 veto]... Your family values stance is a sham.
Reader Comments (62)
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 5:40PM PantsParty said
Thompson for President!!!!1111
2012!
My family values stance is a Sham-Wow!
2012!
My family values stance is a Sham-Wow!
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 5:41PM anoffday said
Wow. His life just keeps getting crappier.
I think....I think I...feel bad for him? But no. It can't be. I'm a gamer. I am incapable of human emotion.
I think....I think I...feel bad for him? But no. It can't be. I'm a gamer. I am incapable of human emotion.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:01PM F1 Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu said
You've got to admit though. Jack goes down swinging.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:27PM (Unverified) said
More like goes down flailing in an epileptic seizure, causing more harm to himself than anyone else.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 5:44PM Sora said
Jack's starting to piss me off more than Bill O'Reilly...
Posted: Apr 23rd 2009 8:40AM (Unverified) said
WTH is wrong with that guy anyway?
Did a gamer p!$$ in is cheerio's one morning or something??
..?
What?, Why is everyone staring at me??
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Did a gamer p!$$ in is cheerio's one morning or something??
..?
What?, Why is everyone staring at me??
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 5:45PM Look At This Suit said
Honestly, I think the guy is just trying to make himself into a joke. It's the only way he can get attention these days. I've never seen an adult that acts this immature.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:55PM LaughingTarget said
You missed the two hour marathon of teabagging jokes on MSNBC and CNN last week.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 7:21PM Look At This Suit said
Don't worry about that, I caught the highlights on The Daily Show.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 5:49PM leemahi said
this dudes' fuckin crazy he won't let up!
i think he knows hes wrong but he'll never admit it cause hes a dumbass that he doesnt want to lose face.
i think he knows hes wrong but he'll never admit it cause hes a dumbass that he doesnt want to lose face.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 5:53PM Sly C said
'I didn't scandalous anyone!'
new meme?
new meme?
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 5:55PM leemahi said
okay i just thought of this... why do you think thompson is doing this and wont let it go?
1. He's actually believes the shit he says about video games
2. He's getting paid to lobby against the sale of M rated games.
3. He knows he's wrong but doesnt want to admit it.
1. He's actually believes the shit he says about video games
2. He's getting paid to lobby against the sale of M rated games.
3. He knows he's wrong but doesnt want to admit it.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:38PM Professor Lario said
4. He is secretly on the ESA's payroll to divert attention away from any possible valid criticisms of the format.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:29PM (Unverified) said
I'm with the Professor, maybe he's just a professional strawman.
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1384
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http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1384
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:11PM ShadowLordAriel said
Well if these last couple of years have been any indication that the man is fighting a losing battle I don't know what is.
@Ben Gilbert: "You probably shouldn't direclty insult the people you'd like to support you."
I couldn't have put it better myself. He's just digging himself an early grave. HIs career is already in the coffin and his credibility is also now packed in tightly with it. All that's left is the headstone and the epitaph. "Here lies Jack.....a real douchebag."
Jack and his bill went up to capitol hill
To fetch a law and order
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And the bill came tumbling after.
@Ben Gilbert: "You probably shouldn't direclty insult the people you'd like to support you."
I couldn't have put it better myself. He's just digging himself an early grave. HIs career is already in the coffin and his credibility is also now packed in tightly with it. All that's left is the headstone and the epitaph. "Here lies Jack.....a real douchebag."
Jack and his bill went up to capitol hill
To fetch a law and order
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And the bill came tumbling after.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:20PM DonaldMick said
"I'll get you next time, gamers.
NEXT TIME!!"
- Dr. Claw Thompson
NEXT TIME!!"
- Dr. Claw Thompson
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:37PM F1 Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu said
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:23PM TheDarkWayne said
So, to get Utah to ban "porn" he sent them....porn?
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:39PM Blaquebeird said
That just supports my theory that he should be called Jack "Irony" Thompson.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:32PM (Unverified) said
I bed Jack Thompson spends the good portion of his day trolling /b/.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:34PM (Unverified) said
Damn... thought I stopped the page before posting... Oh wellz.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:41PM NeuroOmega said
"While this is likely the last time you'll hear about this Utah bill, we're 100 percent sure this isn't the last time you'll hear from Jack Thompson."
(Cue evil laughter and dubious mustache twirling while wearing a top hat)
(Cue evil laughter and dubious mustache twirling while wearing a top hat)
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:47PM Giroro said
Hopefully the utah legislature has learned their lesson and this will never happen again. :\
On a related note: THERE IZ No BEECHEZ IN UTAH FOR A REAZON!!!!!1!!11
On a related note: THERE IZ No BEECHEZ IN UTAH FOR A REAZON!!!!!1!!11
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 7:17PM (Unverified) said
What does Utah not having beaches have to do....oh, wait....never mind.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:50PM (Unverified) said
"We gather here to mourn the loss of Jack Thompson's Career"
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:57PM DonaldMick said
We'll be mourniing all afternoon and evening.
The deceased will deliver the eulogy, and those in attendance will have 20 minutes for rebuttal.
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The deceased will deliver the eulogy, and those in attendance will have 20 minutes for rebuttal.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 6:59PM LaughingTarget said
Jack? Sorry for your loss, here's some baked beans I made. Sorry, I have to go, Dancing with the Stars is on. Sorry, you have my condolences.
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 7:17PM Assmar said
How many goddamn bridges must a man burn?
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:21PM (Unverified) said
"you had to click on the two links I provided, and that was your choice. I warned you what you would see if you chose to do so."
Exactly. Just like everyone has the choice to purchase Violent Movies, watch more adult TV shows, and play graphic video games. We have all been warned by the ESRB and the appropriate rating systems and that's all we really need when all is said and done.
Exactly. Just like everyone has the choice to purchase Violent Movies, watch more adult TV shows, and play graphic video games. We have all been warned by the ESRB and the appropriate rating systems and that's all we really need when all is said and done.
Posted: Apr 30th 2009 2:39PM (Unverified) said
My question is did the bikini girls have anything to do with his email or does he just have a kick ass sig?
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Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:33PM (Unverified) said
I bet Jack Thompson spends a good portion of his day trolling /b/ and youtube.
Posted: Apr 22nd 2009 8:34PM JoshMilewski said
It's a democracy, he can try to convince us of his views as much as he wants, but they'll never fly.






