Posted on 10/14/2005 3:57:20 PM PDT by Rodney King
Florida attorney and anti-videogame campaigner Jack Thompson has come under fire from America's National Institute on Media and the Family for claiming to have the support of the group in his regular open letters.
The decision of the group to distance itself from the attorney and his headline-grabbing tactics comes despite the fact that like Thompson, the institute is a vocal critic of games such as Manhunt and 25 to Life for their violent content.
The institute's founder, Dr David Walsh, wrote an open letter to Thompson, a copy of which was obtained by US website Game Politics. The letter was also sent to the likes of senator Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates and Doug Lowenstein of the ESA - the same Doug Lowenstein whom Thompson has previously compared to Hitler.
It begins with Dr Walsh explaining that he established the institute ten years ago "to engage in research and education about the effects of media on children's health and development." Walsh writes that one of the areas of most concern to the institute is the effects of violent media.
"I know that you share that common concern and I am well aware that you have frequently cited me and our organisation as a source of scientific information," Walsh continues.
"However, over the past few months, I and members of my board have a growing concern that your use of our name, without our permission, has had a negative influence as we try to educate the public on this important issue.
"Your commentary has included extreme hyperbole and your tactics have included personally attacking individuals for whom I have a great deal of respect... Some of the people that you have publicly criticised are not only people of integrity, but are people who have worked to improve the lives of children."
Walsh goes on to note that Thompson has been using his name in correspondence even though they have no formal relationship, creating the impression "That we condone these tactics. We do not.
"The result is that our position and reputation as a research based, non-partisan, solution-focused organisation has been jeopardised.
"Consequently, I ask that you cease using the institute's or my name in any way that would give the impression that we support your efforts." Walsh also requests that Thompson remove the link to the institute's website from his own site.
Walsh's letter comes just days after Thompson issued an open letter to the videogames industry in which he outlined his idea for a game where the CEO of fictional company Take This, Paula Eibel, is murdered along with her husband and children. Should any developer agree to make the game, Thompson will donate $10,000 to the charity of choice of Paul Eibeler, the CEO of Take Two.
Mike Krahulik, the artist behind popular gaming culture comic Penny-Arcade and a founder of the hugely successful Child's Play charity, contacted Thompson after he made this offer to point out that Child's Play has raised over half a million dollars for children's hospitals around the USA since its inception.
Commenting on Penny-Arcade.com, Krahulik reports that Thompson proceeded to call him directly - keen, no doubt, to congratulate such a successful fellow organiser of videogaming-related charity efforts.
Or perhaps not. "Jack actually just called and screamed at me for a couple minutes," Krahulik said. "He said if I email him again I will 'regret it'. What a violent man."
Oh ya. Back during the height of the Whitewater/Monigate days. I'm one of those he threatend to sue but it wasn't much of a distinction -- I think damn near everyone on the forum then got a bat-jack-attack.
The guy is a real head case. (so sue me Jack)
He also filed a bar complaint with the Florida bar with respect to Klintoon brokering a slice of the tobacco settlement for his brother-in-law the worthless Hugh Rodham.
Other than that, you guys are right, he was a pain in the arse.
A broken clock is right twice a day!
His user name was jackpeace.
Thanks.
There's a way to see the posts of people who have been banned. I tried it on that name....the page shows up, but not a single post.
I did find posts made by Thompson.
Did he also use that name?
He might have had more than one name. Do an advanced search on jackpeace and Jack Thompson on google restricted to Free Republic, you should find something.
I found the user, but no posts.
I did find some posts from "Thompson".
I saw another item about this the other day, and it was noted there that $10k wouldn't even begin to pay for the development of a new video game. These things have Hollywood movie-sized budgets now, so there's really no point to any gaming companies doing this challenge just to spite him.
Did he use BatJack one time?
I don't know. What his official stance on being a batman impersonator? Does he admit it?
Oh, he's been gone since at least 2000.
Batjack is insane. I tried to make nice with him. It's impossible. He's crazy as hell and he lets you know.
Thin-skinned sockless goober.
Thanks.
He was also my Sunday School teacher. He used to pack us in his car and take us to Denny's instead of doing the lesson.
We loved him ;)
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