Why you hate Jack Thompson

[chosen1s]

__________________________________________________ __________
**Edit**

A lot of people don't like my poll options. I would like to add a couple of options but unfortunately, as of .01 seconds after I posted this thread the poll became unchangeable. My poll is meant to directly address people who hate Jack Thompson, which is why every answer is "negative".

Additionally, some people have complained that I come across as patronizing in my OP. I can't fix my speaking style so I guess if you want to hold that against me there is nothing I can do about it. The post is meant to be very specific so that we can all benefit (I'm sure there are others out there who wonder what's behind all the JT hostility). If the post somehow offends you, all I can say is I'm sorry and it wasn't meant to be offensive. Having said that, I will no longer be responding to those who wish to vent their anger on me in this thread as if I somehow got it in my head that it would be a fun exercise to get on a message board and subtly insult the CAG community.

Thanks again to the many CAG's who responded to my thread and helped me to educate myself and perhaps others who have been wondering the same thing. You have been very gracious and helpful.

End Edit:
__________________________________________________ _____________

At the risk of stirring the pot...

Why does everyone hate this guy so much? I am trying to educate myself rather than jumping on the bandwagon one way or the other.

Since this is an HONEST request for information, please try to refrain from submitting pointless hostility. "I hate Jack Thompson because he is a freaking *&$^# who hates video gamers without knowing anything about them" is not useful.

"Jack Thompson is trying to enact legislation that would make it illegal for game companies to XYZ and that will negatively impact the gaming community" is a factual statement and IS useful to all of our collective knowledge.

Thanks in advance. I've heard so much about how much the gaming community hates this guy but very little in terms of why and would like to better understand

[Backlash]

My choice isn't up there: He continually spews lies and half-truths about the video game industry and passes himself off as an expert (successfully, in many cases). Not to mention his frivolous lawsuits and asshole attitude and correspondence.

I don't really have a big problem with legislation to restrict the sale of M-rated games to minors.

[RAMSTORIA]

Since this is an HONEST request for information, please try to refrain from submitting pointless hostility. "I hate Jack Thompson because he is a freaking *&$^# who hates video gamers without knowing anything about them" is not useful.



but its so true. but i would have used fucking, not freaking

[alonzomourning23]

There are a lot of people I can hate, I'm not going to waste my anger on someone such as thompson. I really don't care about him one way or the other.

But I voted the way that I feel most (but not all) gamers react to him. Sure they may have legitimate reasons, but most of the reactions seems to stem from what he's attacking (ie. video games, their hobby) and less from how and the meaning of what he's attacking.

[Roufuss]

Wow, the poll is really fucked up.

Every answer is somehow "bad".

[Genocidal]

Because he tried to get the guys at Penny Arcade arrested for their $10,000 donation.
Because he was a giant asshole when the kid killed himself and whatever community he was a part of decided to pay him tribute.

That's just off the top of my head before I head out for the night.

[Vinny]

My choice isn't up there: He continually spews lies and half-truths about the video game industry and passes himself off as an expert (successfully, in many cases). Not to mention his frivolous lawsuits and asshole attitude and correspondence.

I don't really have a big problem with legislation to restrict the sale of M-rated games to minors.

That's how I feel... in all honesty, if he had a logical arguement then I'd listen. But for the most part, he like some arrogant punk kid who thinks he knows everything and carries a Bible with him. Hah! As if lawyers are honest people.:lol:

[kakomu]

but most of the reactions seems to stem from what he's attacking (ie. video games, their hobby) and less from how and the meaning of what he's attacking.
I agree. I find most hatred of Jack Thompson to be as irrational as Jack Thompson himself (which just goes to show how much a self-fulfilling prophecy it really is). I wouldn't doubt that his antics are intentionally devised to piss off people so much that they start spewing the very stuff he's crusading against. Personally, I pay him little attention.

[greendj27]

Yeah, fix the poll so it includes other options such as I don't like how he generalizes and just plain makes things up and then you might have a valid poll. I think video game legislation is not necessarily a bad thing. It's more about the way he is going about things that is the problem.

[camoor]

http://www.treygivens.com/godwarrior.gif


'nuff said

[botticus]

I doubt many people at all would have a problem if his sole purpose was to prevent minors from getting mature games. But his real mission seems to be to get any of the games in that classification banned from public consumption, and to seek out any (or make up any) cases where it seems that games have corrupted individuals.

[Graystone]

My choice isn't up there: He continually spews lies and half-truths about the video game industry and passes himself off as an expert (successfully, in many cases). Not to mention his frivolous lawsuits and asshole attitude and correspondence.

I don't really have a big problem with legislation to restrict the sale of M-rated games to minors.

My thoughts exactly. One thing to add is I remember him saying gaming is a masterbatorial action. Then I thought to myself if gaming is, wouldn't everything be then. Eating, playing a round of golf, shopping for cloths etc. Those are all, so how does this make gaming bad.

[daroga]

He scares me because he's insane.

[chosen1s]

I'm starting to get a better picture. From most people's response, it seems that the majority of the hostility is personal - in that, it's not Jack's crusade to keep "mature" games out of the hands of children so much as it seems Jack can't seem to keep from constantly provoking the gaming community.

Thanks Genocidal for your post - I was able to do a little Google research and learned something tonight.

As for requests to amend the poll, I don't think you can change it once it's been posted? I would add the comment about generalizations/making things up if someone tells me how to change it/replace it.

[gamereviewgod]

Head over to Gamepolitics.com and you'll see how insanse he can get.

[wubb]

Your poll options are very similar really, and no you can't change them once it's posted AFAIK. I can see the argument for keeping adult games away from kids. Personally I probably wouldn't want legislation on that, but I can see the argument.

I try not to give him much attention, as that is precisely what he wants. The more he is vilified by video game fans (in magazines, major websites, forums, etc.) the more mainstream media will look to him as the major counter point debater on any video game related issue that comes up. (Kid that plays video games commits suicide, something like hot coffee pops up again, any news making legislation, etc. etc.)

Anyone that frequents message boards should know the cardinal rule - don't feed the trolls.

[The Truth]

I voted for the one stating he's a jerk. Here's why. Much like OP, I wanted to do some unbiased research on this man, as from what I understood, he was a threat to one of our national pasttimes - videogames.
In one of the CAG threads, I found a link to Wikipedia, which the OP might enjoy reading. There I learned the truth - this man is a mindless, heartless, dickless, raging, four-alarm jerk. OP, you may find the link useful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Thompson#Other_video_game-related_incidents
And here is why I feel my choice is correct:
Thompson said Lee Boyd Malvo trained by playing Halo and learned how to kill non-humans to make it easier to kill people without feeling emotional. I've had a gun pointed at me point-blank twice with intent to kill. I don't believe video games led these men to that point in their lives. How does shooting aliens with a controller compare to holding a .45 caliber at a defenseless man's midsection, or the back of his head while he's driving a car? Or in Malvo's case, holding your breath to aim straighter, holding a sniper rifle from a small space. Clearly this man has lived the mentality of the wealthy. He's stuck to his own neighborhoods and hasn't seen how the other half lives. His vision is of an utopian suburbia, which isn't where most of us live. In that utopia, how could parents be at fault? They're all perfect and show their children constant affection and attention. It has to be an outside force that must be repelled. So, let's spin the wheel...... video games? Why not? Anyone who connects video game deaths to real ones must not be that different from them - a pompous, assuming jerk.
He also said the Ohio sniper had the PS2 game - The Getaway. Who would train on a piece of shit like that? Anyone who is "terrified" by an icon of themselves is a jackass. Jackass is another word for jerk.
This man has said video gamers are no better than KKK members or skinheads. According to him, when I was playing Kung-Fu on the NES, I was a ninja in training. Thank God I let those Phillies slow me....
Thompson tried to use what he knew was still a Mormon state in Utah, attempting with a representative for the state to get a bill passed that would make violent video games akin to pornography. Only a jerk would use religion to advance his ploy.
He said of the boy who killed himself on the Metal Gear message board, "Your "gamer friend" will find peace through the Lord, Jesus Christ, but sadly it's too late for that." Anyone who judges someone else through the word of Christ is a jerk.
He bought shares of Take-Two just so he could be a jerk at a shareholders meeting.
He threatened to sude Wiki-Pedia for posting "bias". Jerk.
Anyway, no matter what I say, Thompson will continue his best Steve Martin impersonation. He lives in his own little world of 50's sitcoms. People like him are the reason I have severe disdain for my own race. Sorry for the rant....

[chosen1s]

Because I'm the one who wanted to limit this thread to factual evidence, I'm not going to respond to most of that though I appreciate your candid response.

However, I do have to say - I don't care what race you are. Racism against your own race is just as stupid as racism against other races. Don't let your teachers or political correctness or yourself lay shame and disgrace on you or anyone with their negativity. We're all in this boat together, and beating up your own race doesn't help any more than beating up anybody else's. Now, back to Jack Thompson if anybody has anything more to say. I pretty much understand the argument against him and appreciate everybody's input. Thanks all!!

[crazytalkx]

Because he exists.

[evanft]

We need a "Because he's a fucking retard." option.

[Brak]

http://www.treygivens.com/godwarrior.gif


'nuff said

Oh, God. That sent chills up my fuckin' spine.

[sblymnlcrymnl]

Because he's an ass clown.

[Greetard]

At the risk of stirring the pot...

Why does everyone hate this guy so much? I am trying to educate myself rather than jumping on the bandwagon one way or the other.

Since this is an HONEST request for information, please try to refrain from submitting pointless hostility. "I hate Jack Thompson because he is a freaking *&$^# who hates video gamers without knowing anything about them" is not useful.

"Jack Thompson is trying to enact legislation that would make it illegal for game companies to XYZ and that will negatively impact the gaming community" is a factual statement and IS useful to all of our collective knowledge.

Thanks in advance. I've heard so much about how much the gaming community hates this guy but very little in terms of why and would like to better understand

...
You're a minor, aren't you?

[2Fast]

He's just annoying. He just wants attention, so if he bothers you, ignore him.

[Yashouzoid]

I could understand his "I don't want M rated games being sold to minors" viewpoint, and I agree with it, actually.

He started coming off as a loon when he argued with half-truths and total misinformation.

I wanted him to drop dead when he exploited that MGS fan's suicide to pursue his half-assed crusade against gaming.

[CoffeeEdge]

My choice isn't up there: He continually spews lies and half-truths about the video game industry and passes himself off as an expert (successfully, in many cases). Not to mention his frivolous lawsuits and asshole attitude and correspondence.

I don't really have a big problem with legislation to restrict the sale of M-rated games to minors.
That sums it up for me too.

Sure, M-rated games shouldn't be sold to kids. My problems with him aren't about that.

It's just that he's just a true asshole and a jerk, through-and-through, as a person. He really is mean-spirited. I mean, I'm sure you guys have heard about how a bunch of people sent him flowers and a nice, civil letter apologizing for how he's been harassed by morons...and how Jack decided to deny getting the letter, and claimed that the flowers were sent by Take-Two to harass him and his wife.

Attempts by the FlowersforJack peopel to communicate with him in a civil manner have been met with near threats from him. He's just insane.

Fuck Jack Thompson, man. Not for hating games, but for being a truly mean-spirited person.


I wanted him to drop dead when he exploited that MGS fan's suicide to pursue his half-assed crusade against gaming.
Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Seriously, that was truly deplorable. Doing that honestly puts him just a couple of steps below Fred Phelps and his degenerate ilk (the bastards who picket soldier's funerals, because the soldiers are evil for being in the military of a country that "loves $$$s!;" you know, things like that), whom I'm sure most of you are unfortunate enough to have heard of.

It's just plain wrong.

[chosen1s]

...
You're a minor, aren't you?

Um...

No. I'm an adult. With a career, adult hobbies, steady girlfriend, and degrees in Marketing and Economics. I also like and appreciate video games and video game culture - and I hold CAG's in the highest esteem as a community of people who by and large are educated, intelligent, and highly informed about a number of subjects - not the least of which is video games.

Unfortunately I am way too busy lately to keep myself in the loop of all that is going on in the gaming world but I keep running across mentions of this Jack Thompson guy. I know (knew) little about this guy Jack Thompson before starting this thread, and appreciate everyone's comments and sincerity. My apologies to anyone who felt somehow patronized or insulted by this thread.

[hutno]

Um...

No. I'm an adult. With a career, adult hobbies, steady girlfriend, and degrees in Marketing and Economics. I also like and appreciate video games and video game culture - and I hold CAG's in the highest esteem as a community of people who by and large are educated, intelligent, and highly informed about a number of subjects - not the least of which is video games.

Unfortunately I am way too busy lately to keep myself in the loop of all that is going on in the gaming world but I keep running across mentions of this Jack Thompson guy. I know (knew) little about this guy Jack Thompson before starting this thread, and appreciate everyone's comments and sincerity. My apologies to anyone who felt somehow patronized or insulted by this thread.

There are just too many reasons to dislike the guy and those choices are way to vague. This guy would badmouth his dead mother just to get some publicty.

The way he handled this case is a good example
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=12774

[The Truth]

Because I'm the one who wanted to limit this thread to factual evidence, I'm not going to respond to most of that though I appreciate your candid response.

However, I do have to say - I don't care what race you are. Racism against your own race is just as stupid as racism against other races. Don't let your teachers or political correctness or yourself lay shame and disgrace on you or anyone with their negativity. We're all in this boat together, and beating up your own race doesn't help any more than beating up anybody else's. Now, back to Jack Thompson if anybody has anything more to say. I pretty much understand the argument against him and appreciate everybody's input. Thanks all!!

Severe disdain is not hatred. And I'm not racist. Welcome to my ignore list. :)

[Yashouzoid]

Unfortunately I am way too busy lately to keep myself in the loop of all that is going on in the gaming world but I keep running across mentions of this Jack Thompson guy. I know (knew) little about this guy Jack Thompson before starting this thread, and appreciate everyone's comments and sincerity. My apologies to anyone who felt somehow patronized or insulted by this thread.
Okay, so um, why'd you start the thread essentially insulting the people who dislike him? Not the best way to ask a question.

[chosen1s]

Um...

I don't even know what to do with the last 2 posts. I guess since I'm on "The Truth"'s ignore list I don't need to respond to that one.

In terms of insulting everyone - the thread title is "Why you hate Jack Thompson". It's not "how you feel about Jack Thompson" or "What do you think about Jack Thompson". That's why there are only "negative" poll options. I'm not really looking to poll people who like Jack, I'm more interested in knowing why the people who hate him feel that way.

If it is insulting for me to acknowledge that any thread can easily fill up with hate-filled generalities and ask for people to be specific I guess I am getting to old for this. Looks like I'm becoming one of those "old people" who is too far out of the loop to realize he is pissing people off. My apologies to anyone who was insulted - I just wanted some specific answers to my questions and by and large many kind CAG's were more than happy to offer them. Thanks to all!

[chosen1s]

Okay, so um, why'd you start the thread essentially insulting the people who dislike him? Not the best way to ask a question.

Ah,

I see what you are asking now. I did not intend to insult anyone when I started this thread. However, as with all things in life, sometimes people with even the best intentions accidentally insult others. I took from Greetard's comment that he felt my thread was juvenile and perhaps insulting to his intellect(?). Otherwise I'm not really sure the point of asking if someone is a minor. So once again, if I ACCIDENTALLY patronized or insulted anyone with this thread, I apologize.

And once again, for those of you who were not insulted and graciously helped me to educate myself, you have my gratitude.

p.s. - I like your edited comment better than your original.

[Kendal]

I hate him because he is a dick. I hate him because he is in bed with Hillary Clinton and joesef(Joeseph?) Lieberman. Both of those people are the devil. I hate him because he is trying to be a fucking parent. Yeah I don't think kids should play GTA, but I don't want to think about me not being able to think for myself on what I can and cannot play. I hate him because he doesn't know shit about shit. I hate him because I like videogames and he doesn't. I hate him because he is a lawyer. I hate him because I can. I hate him because, well it is easy. He is the democrates ken Star. You don't send a bigger asshole after an asshole, because you will get shit everywhere.

[chakan]

I would like to vote, but your poll is broken.

None of the answers resemble my opinion, and you come across as very patronizing.

If you had educated yourself for five minutes about Jack, you would know that he doesn't want to make Mature games unpurchaseable by minors, he wants to sue companies that make games with content he doesn't approve of out of business.

He also constantly mocks gamers in general, lumping us in with such groups as serial killers, necrophiliacs, and drug users.

Any attempt at rational discussion with him by a gamer is met with mockery, often vulgarity, and he seldom actually responds to the actual question or topic.

He is a vitriolic, pathetic little attention whore, and while I used to hate him, I now almost pity him. I still resent how he portrays gamers.

[trq]

He is the democrates ken Star.

Not to make this political, because assclowns who don't "get" games exist in both parties, but Thompson is a lifelong Republican.

[xrickyb86x]

he uses shock value to get people who know nothing about video games to side with him, such as parents. of course if a parent who knows nothing about video games heard jack thompson say "video games made this kid kill someone/himself" he is going to have their attention and basically educate and preach to people who know nothing about the subject on what he believes he knows about the subject... which is also nothing and 100% one sided.

i see nothing wrong with restricting minors from buying M rated games. it's just the fact that he uses shock value and statements that are not true to get people's attention.

[chosen1s]

Not to make this political, because assclowns who don't "get" games exist in both parties, but Thompson is a lifelong Republican.

This has always been one of my most curoius political situations. In general, I would have expected the Republicans to be the ones pursuing legislation to "protect" minors from what might be perceived by the disconnected "adult" world as potentially negative effects of video games.

And I would also expect the Democrats to not just ignore the situation, but actually actively stand against any form of what might be considered "censorship" (Not that Hillary or Joe is actually endorsing censorship). I can't tell you how many newspapers or newscasts I have seen with a Democrat standing on a soapbox and screaming "this isn't 1875! It was wrong to censor Tom Sawyer from the Junior High library then and it's wrong to censor XYZ from the Junior High library now!"

Interesting, apparent role-reversal to me.

[Kendal]

Not to make this political, because assclowns who don't "get" games exist in both parties, but Thompson is a lifelong Republican.

Yes, but being in bed with Clinton and lieberman, makes him guilty br association. I am not saying he is a democrate, he is just their pawn, like Ken Star was. That is what I was getting at.

[Yashouzoid]

Ah,

I see what you are asking now. I did not intend to insult anyone when I started this thread. However, as with all things in life, sometimes people with even the best intentions accidentally insult others. I took from Greetard's comment that he felt my thread was juvenile and perhaps insulting to his intellect(?). Otherwise I'm not really sure the point of asking if someone is a minor. So once again, if I ACCIDENTALLY patronized or insulted anyone with this thread, I apologize.

And once again, for those of you who were not insulted and graciously helped me to educate myself, you have my gratitude.

p.s. - I like your edited comment better than your original.
You're forgiven.

response to p.s. - sorry, I've been pissy the last couple of days.