Jack Thompson Appreciation Thread

[Ackar]

Thompson Sues ESRB, Best Buy

Well known anti-gaming lawyer Jack Thompson is following up on his clever sting operations against Best Buy. He's filed suit against the consumer electronics retailer for allegedly selling M-rated games to underage gamers. He has also included the ESRB in that suit. GamePolitics reports:

"As we reported, the claim against Best Buy suit looks as if it will be going nowhere. Thompson has also apparently named the ESRB in the suit. That looks like a non-starter as well. His explanation: 'The ESRB has been sued by Thompson because it is well known that it a) is owned and operated by the video game industry, b) does not even play the games it rates to conclusion, c) routinely mislabels games as to age appropriateness, per testimony before the U.S. Congress, and is engaged in representations to American parents that the age label are accurate and are keeping "Mature" games out of the hands of kids.'"​

The original suit against Best Buy seems to be about them not carding people that buy games online.

But the article does mention this...

GP: Best Buy’s online sales practices are similar to those of other video game retailers. The assumption is that most under-17’s do not possess a credit card. The Federal Trade Commission, by the way, deems the use of a credit card as acceptable proof of age in online transactions. From the FTC website:

Operators must use reasonable procedures to ensure they are dealing with the child’s parent before they provide access to the child’s specific information. They can use a variety of methods to verify the parent’s identity, including:

…accepting and verifying a credit card number…​

I think the use of a valid credit card alone should be enough proof for online purchases, instead of forcing the use of some other online age identification.

 

[DarthGonzo]

And here we go again. Is anyone taking this guy seriously at this point?

 

[HG Revolution]

And here we go again. Is anyone taking this guy seriously at this point?

FOX News does. In a recent debate they showed concerning Manhunt 2, they let him end the debate saying something about "scientific evidence" on his side without him citing the evidence and without letting the other guy fight him on it. Seems like they're on his side. And you can't say it's just the crazy conservatives who like him, because last time I checked he was doing well with Hilary Clinton as well.

 

[BCVM22]

And here we go again. Is anyone taking this guy seriously at this point?

At this point, it isn't essential to his efforts that he be taken seriously. For as long as he's still permitted to practice law and keep actually instigating lawsuits such as this, the media will continue to make his efforts public and as that continues to happen, there will always be just enough people who are misinformed or just plain ignorant enough to see this, agree with him and support his efforts.

If anyone really wanted to stop him, they'd stop giving him airtime and space in print.

 

[Zeonic Freak]

FOX News does. In a recent debate they showed concerning Manhunt 2, they let him end the debate saying something about "scientific evidence" on his side without him citing the evidence and without letting the other guy fight him on it. Seems like they're on his side. And you can't say it's just the crazy conservatives who like him, because last time I checked he was doing well with Hilary Clinton as well.

Hilary might be doing that just to get her votes in next year.

Well, wouldnt you say these kids who by games online are getting the cards from their parents or doing so without their concent?

If your buying games online, its hard to say whos at the other end giving the card info to buy the games in the first place. ON PAPER it says so, but that doesnt prove its the card holder typing the info in...

 

[YoshiAngemon]

Oh yeah! I can see Seth McFarlane making fun of Jack Thompson in an episode of Family Guy! That guy can ruin the fun of video games, but he can't ruin the fun of life!

Either that or an American Dad episode with Jack Thompson being a menace to Steve and his friends!

 

[DBZALLSTAR]

For those of you who don't know, I work at Best Buy. I know for a fact that we make sure that customers know what a game is rated. We have these blue cards that are right in front of the price cards for the games that have the rating on them and an explanation of the rating. These are just a back-up for the customers who do not notice the banners in front of each gaming area that lists the different ratings with a brief explanation of them. I know that I'm not really a part of the law suit since I'm just a lower level employee, but Jack Thompson can bite me. Each time I see a thread about this guy, it seems to be about some suit that he's pushing. He obviously just wants attention. I agree that the ESRB ratings are important because some children are impressionable and should not be anywhere near games that are not near their age group. It is, however, the parent's responsibility if they are the people who purchase the games. We card everyone who is not with an adult and inform parents who are buying the games for their children about the ratings. If Jack Thompson is that concerned, he may as well start working at his local Best Buy to make sure that at least the children in that area are not being influenced by these games. He reminds me of the people who complain about Wal-Mart and the other corporations without knowing the facts. I'm not saying that Best Buy is without faults. Again, I'm an employee and therefore at least know from my point of view and from an unbiased point of view at the same time what is good and bad about it. I know we do our jobs concerning this matter. What else does this guy complain about, or is it only Best Buy and video games? If it is only these two things, the man needs to get himself a life.

I know that most of you are against what he's saying and doing, but I just wanted to let anyone who had even the smallest lingering doubt know that we are on top of the video game ratings. You won't see any four year olds walking out of my store with a new copy of Grand Theft Auto.

 

[BCVM22]

Oh yeah! I can see Seth McFarlane making fun of Jack Thompson in an episode of Family Guy! That guy can ruin the fun of video games, but he can't ruin the fun of life!

Either that or an American Dad episode with Jack Thompson being a menace to Steve and his friends!

Neither will happen. Stop it.

 

[Wussycat]

What does this guy have to do to get his law license revoked?

 

[Captain Highwind]

Leave my Best Buy out of your shenanigans, Thompson.

 

[Wounded_Dragon]

What does this guy have to do to get his law license revoked?

At this rate? High Treason.

 

[Hades]

Um... this coming from the guy who was arrested for kiddie porn a few weeks ago.

Oh, and not to turn this into a political debate, but Hilary will NEVER even get nominated to be in the elections.

 

[tucsoncoyote]

Jack Thompson is like a bad Monty Python Joke and Quagmire all rolled into one.

What does this guy have to do to get his law license revoked?

Actually Wussycat, I was joking with a friend tonight and he suggested that we change his next Bar Exam to read the following trick question for Mr. Thompson:

The Question?: What is the average airspeed of a coconut Laden Swallow?

If he answers in the following way we'll know he's lost it..

Jack Thompson's Potential answer: I would sue the Coconut on the fact that the coconut played violent videogames and thus slowed the swallow down.

Or maybe like Wounded_Dragon said, High Treason.. After all to say that a coconut plays videogames is more than high treason to me!


But seriously, where does "Wacky" Jack get off at? I mean come on suing Best Buy is one thing..(No offense to you here Mr. Highwind, as I know that Best Buy has some of the best Policies in place and would never let a 4 year old walk out of a store with an M rated game seriously. After all You guys do good work), But now Wacky Jack is attacking the folks who run the ESRB? Oy... This guy needs to get a life... or maybe a girlfriend...

Of course I've been looking at Jack's Long line of Lawsuits and some of them are off the wall completely.. for example I found on Slashdot.com some of his lawsuits and some of them make gamers want to cringe in fear.. or laugh in ridicule. But you know Jack's been all over the news as of late? Heck He's now contemplating suing Rockstar Games (Once again) for GTA4... Can you believe this guy? He's even been considered for a psych test by the Florida bar..(Huh there goes my idea out the window ^^^)

Ah well sooner or later Jack's gonna croak.. maybe in a few years when he stresses out and has a massive coronary from filing his millionth joke lawsuit and getting it thrown out of court for the grounds of being too ludicrous to believe.

But then that's Jack for you.. He's like Quagmire on Family Guy..

Who else but Jack Thompson??? Giggity Giggity Goo!!!

 

[Captain Highwind]

After all You guys do good work),

Oh no, I don't work there, but it is one of my favorite stores and I don't take too kindly to Thompson trying to piss all over it.

 

[DarthGonzo]

Oh yeah! I can see Seth McFarlane making fun of Jack Thompson in an episode of Family Guy! That guy can ruin the fun of video games, but he can't ruin the fun of life!

He's not ruining anything. Hush.

 

[Novapocalypse]

Well,guys what's the point in even arguing.Jack Thompson's a dick,he's not ever gonna stop trying to sue anything related to Video-Games.

Anyone know why,besides money,and the fact that he's an ass,that he does It?

 

[entransify]

What does this guy have to do to get his law license revoked?

Actually, the state of Florida did that years ago because even they were tired of his antics.

 

[tucsoncoyote]

Some off the wallness here..

Oh no, I don't work there, but it is one of my favorite stores and I don't take too kindly to Thompson trying to piss all over it.

Ah, okay, I didn't know that. Thanks for clearing that up Mr. H.

But yeah, frankly suing Best Buy isn't a great idea Jack.. Just wait till you want to buy that Washing Machine, Wide Screen TV, or Satellite Radio from them, and i can see a conversation like this.

Clerk: I'm sorry sir, I'll have to ask for your I.D. After all we can't sell you this washing machine, because of the fact that it's Rated M for Mature..

Jack: But, But, I'm Jack Thompson! I'm 60 something!

Clerk: Oh, so you're Jack Thompson? (Picks up phone). Hello Security to the check out register.

I think if this is the case Maybe the next time Jack sues someone, he should rethink his strategy if he ever wants a TV..

Well,guys what's the point in even arguing.Jack Thompson's a dick,he's not ever gonna stop trying to sue anything related to Video-Games.

Anyone know why,besides money,and the fact that he's an ass,that he does It?

Frankly It's like the proverbial question, "Why do people scale Mount Everest?" The answer is simple. "Because it's there. "

But seriously why does Jack Thompson do it other for the money and the glory? Maybe he got dissed as a 9 year old who wanted a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. That's probably why...

 

[Robin2099]

Well,guys what's the point in even arguing.Jack Thompson's a dick,he's not ever gonna stop trying to sue anything related to Video-Games.

Anyone know why,besides money,and the fact that he's an ass,that he does It?

Because, it keeps his agenda out their, and keeps it from getting swept under the rug. He may be annoying, but every time he files a lawsuit, we all end up talking about him. There's nothing to gain from it other then free publicity.

 

[tucsoncoyote]

Free publicity for a joke..

Because, it keeps his agenda out their, and keeps it from getting swept under the rug. He may be annoying, but every time he files a lawsuit, we all end up talking about him. There's nothing to gain from it other then free publicity.

Free publicity alright.. Publicity of showing how dumb he really is.. After all Every time "Wacky Jacky" Files a lawsuit, it gets dismissed on the grounds of being "Frivilous, and wasteful of the court's time." I really don't know why Jack doesn't sue himself for being this way.

But seriously, why on earth does Jack do this? To show how much of a jerk he is? After all if you had a million lawsuits all pertaining to so called "Violent Video games." thrown out, would you at least get a hint that you're wasting the court's time and manpower just to get your point across? Frankly that's laughable at best, and deplorable at worst..