Thompson vs. Methenitis: 'Because history happens'
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jul 10th 2009 at 6:45PM }
Sporting a gentle grandpa look, Thompson certainly appears (see clip after the break) as an entirely different character than the "internet bogeyman" who has haunted, well ... his own career. While it's a pleasant surprise to see Thompson show up in human form, he's gonna have to do better than forewarn the coming of "the 9/11 event for this industry" (sensational much?) to do any convincing around these parts. Now, excuse us while we take a break to go commit horrific acts of depravity (virtually, of course), and then go back to our ordinary, good-natured lives.
[Image credit: 4Player]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave @ Jul 10th 2009 6:49PM
If it wasn't for the gaming community he'd be nothing.
The Dark Wayne @ Jul 10th 2009 6:54PM
that's not true, if it werent for games he'd be nothing, but even without our vengeful and fiery responses, he'd still get plenty of coverage from regular news outlets. Shit, i remember hearing about Hot Coffee on my local news channel
Moptimus Slime (The Return of Princess Griffin) @ Jul 10th 2009 6:55PM
if it weren't for us, he'd still be a lawyer
Rob @ Jul 10th 2009 6:56PM
Nah, if games didn't exist he would probably have gone after the TV, Music, or Movie industry. People like him are on a crusade and look for anything to further that goal, games just happened to be an easy target.
BunnySlapper @ Jul 10th 2009 7:06PM
He was against music (and Howard Stern) before video games.
People like Jack will always find something to call the devil.
ArchiGamer [thephilosophyofgames.wordpress.com] @ Jul 10th 2009 7:01PM
If it wasn't for art he'd be nothing.
deanb @ Jul 10th 2009 7:22PM
Well he did start out against various films and music, mainly rap. So he would of still made something of himself. Though without Rockstar he might never of reached his full potential. and the gaming community wouldn't of cared for him that's for sure.
whylekat @ Jul 11th 2009 5:45AM
Right. Never forget this guy, and many others, made their careers out of this sorta 'witch hunt.' Its spread across every medium out there. From games to movies, even comics.
BananaBoat @ Jul 10th 2009 7:02PM
His professional problem over the past couple of years has been that he shows absolutely no respect for authority, namely judges. Constant contempt for judges will get you disbarred quicker than almost anything else, and Jack just didn't seem to know when to quit.
I have no doubt that we haven't seen the last of him. There are 49 other states, and unless he has a mountain of cash, he's going to have to go back to practicing law soon enough if he wants to keep eating.
sony boy @ Jul 10th 2009 7:09PM
i can barely here. they should've put subtitles.
Atr-Slzr-Ctr @ Jul 10th 2009 9:12PM
I can barely there!
Rocketboy @ Jul 10th 2009 9:57PM
I can barely everywhere!
BananaBoat @ Jul 10th 2009 9:59PM
Can you barely in a chair?
Nguyen @ Jul 13th 2009 9:57AM
can you barely with a goat? on a boat?
Saint @ Jul 10th 2009 7:14PM
Slightly off topic, but last night's Penn & Teller: Bullshit! was amazing.
The kid crying at the end said it all.
whylekat @ Jul 11th 2009 5:49AM
Ugh my showtime wasn't coming in! Did they make him look like the certified wacko he is?? They're great at that! Love Bullshit! One of the smartest shows on television.
Spinfusor @ Jul 10th 2009 7:26PM
Jack Thompson is not "largely misunderstood."
"In 2008, Thompson was permanently disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court for inappropriate conduct, including making false statements to tribunals..."
He's perfectly understood as an idiot and an asshole.
shredhead @ Jul 10th 2009 7:33PM
True that.
Edge @ Jul 10th 2009 7:37PM
"Sporting a gentle grandpa look"
Looks more like someone scared the shit outta Bob Saget.
sleepypersons @ Jul 10th 2009 7:52PM
Sweet David from 4PP is in that picture.
Jon @ Jul 10th 2009 9:05PM
hahaha i thought that was him!
Pan1c42 @ Jul 11th 2009 1:18PM
Yeah...4pp even got the "Source:" Link.
JangoGod @ Jul 10th 2009 7:54PM
I do have to say that he doesn't look near as creepy or insane in that picture as he did in his other ones.
WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Jul 11th 2009 9:53AM
Probably because the various blogs post the most insane/creepy looking pictures knowing they'll result in more traffic and comments than one in good light.
dayuse @ Jul 10th 2009 8:33PM
I will say this: Thompson's photo graphics posted on gaming blogs are frightening as hell.
Alex @ Jul 10th 2009 8:40PM
Jack looks a lot like Michael Caine when he grooms, that should be helpful to look not like a psycho
Roto13 @ Jul 10th 2009 9:19PM
After that event, he hopped right back on his Windows 98 PC and started spouting off bullshit again. He just knew he'd be swarmed if he tried that shit in front of an audience of gamers.
One evening of sensible discourse doesn't negate years of stupidity.
Sly @ Jul 10th 2009 9:53PM
"One evening of sensible discourse doesn't negate years of stupidity."
couldn't have said it better myself.
WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Jul 11th 2009 9:52AM
I was at SGC, and I have to say, acting or not, Thompson presented himself fairly well, making only a small handful of ludicrous comments, with the majority of people I talked to saying they were impressed.
Jack had a lot of personal things to say about his quality of life. Obviously there is no way to verify them, but I honestly felt bad for him. Bad if the things were true, but also bad if they weren't, in that to some extent he did it to himself.
Anyway, ScrewAttack did an awesome job putting this together with Mark and Jack, and it was certainly a great experience to see both of them in person.
WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Jul 11th 2009 9:55AM
Oh shit, I'm actually in the video! I'm the guy with the black parted hair directly in front of the camera when it's facing Menthinitis.
Goddamn I need a new haircut.
RedSonRising @ Jul 11th 2009 2:45PM
a quick google search featuring 'Germany bans' reveals that government officials in Germany will try to ban just about anything: Red Bull, corn, teen tanning beds, CounterStrike, Skype, paintball, laser tag.
worry about video games causing the collapse of modern civilization right after ze Germans get here Jack.
Metoo @ Jul 12th 2009 4:28PM
I want to have Jack Thompson's babies.
BxGT @ Jul 13th 2009 9:46AM
lol he is still alive?