Jack Thompson Slammed and Humiliated
National Institute on Media and the Family publicly disowns provocative law talking guy
Attorney Jack Thompson’s dreams of self promotion lie in tatters. Dr. David Walsh of the National Institute on Media and the Family has publicly distanced himself from the Florida funnyman in a letter sent yesterday and published by US game site Game Politics today.
Wacko Jack clearly considered Dr. Walsh and his institute close allies, frequently citing them as a source both in court and during his numerous soapbox rants and publicity stunts.
But Dr. Walsh finds Thompson’s method counterproductive, and his attitude distasteful. Thompson was in the news earlier this week when he published an extraordinary game proposal in an open letter to the game industry. After addressing Take 2 chief Paul Eibel personally, he went on to describe a scene in which his protagonist decapitated ‘Paula Eibel’, CEO of ‘Take This’, and her husband and children, before urinating on them. It’s not unreasonable to assume that this was the last straw, with Dr. Walsh’s letter coming less than two days later, landing the attention-craving lawyer in hot water.
Nor does Dr. Walsh want anybody to be in doubt as to his feelings regarding Mr. Thompson. Amongst other prominent politicians Senator Hilary Clinton was cc’d, along with Bill Gates and Doug Lowenstein of the regulatory body ESA. Here’s the letter in full:
Game Politics now say they have a copy of a reply from Jack Thompson, but they have yet to publish it. Stay tuned for more updates as Jack Thompson’s fifteen minutes draw to a dramatic and humiliating close.
Wacko Jack clearly considered Dr. Walsh and his institute close allies, frequently citing them as a source both in court and during his numerous soapbox rants and publicity stunts.
But Dr. Walsh finds Thompson’s method counterproductive, and his attitude distasteful. Thompson was in the news earlier this week when he published an extraordinary game proposal in an open letter to the game industry. After addressing Take 2 chief Paul Eibel personally, he went on to describe a scene in which his protagonist decapitated ‘Paula Eibel’, CEO of ‘Take This’, and her husband and children, before urinating on them. It’s not unreasonable to assume that this was the last straw, with Dr. Walsh’s letter coming less than two days later, landing the attention-craving lawyer in hot water.
Nor does Dr. Walsh want anybody to be in doubt as to his feelings regarding Mr. Thompson. Amongst other prominent politicians Senator Hilary Clinton was cc’d, along with Bill Gates and Doug Lowenstein of the regulatory body ESA. Here’s the letter in full:
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I founded the National Institute on Media and the Family ten years ago to engage in research and education about the effects of media on children's health and development. Our original premise that "media are powerful" has been validated scientifically and socially many times over. Our work has been cited by organizations around the world and our credibility has been well established.
One of the areas of greatest concern is the issue of violent media's effect on children. I know that you share that common concern and I am well aware that you have frequently cited me and our organization as a source of scientific information. 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. I believe that respect is essential in all our dealings, including respect for those with whom we disagree. Some of the people that you have publicly criticized are not only people of integrity, but are people who have worked to improve the lives of children.
Even though we have no formal relationship your use of my name and your inclusion of my name in correspondence have created 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 organization has been jeopardized. 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. I also ask that you remove the link to our website that appears on your site.
Sincerely,
David Walsh, PH.D.
I founded the National Institute on Media and the Family ten years ago to engage in research and education about the effects of media on children's health and development. Our original premise that "media are powerful" has been validated scientifically and socially many times over. Our work has been cited by organizations around the world and our credibility has been well established.
One of the areas of greatest concern is the issue of violent media's effect on children. I know that you share that common concern and I am well aware that you have frequently cited me and our organization as a source of scientific information. 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. I believe that respect is essential in all our dealings, including respect for those with whom we disagree. Some of the people that you have publicly criticized are not only people of integrity, but are people who have worked to improve the lives of children.
Even though we have no formal relationship your use of my name and your inclusion of my name in correspondence have created 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 organization has been jeopardized. 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. I also ask that you remove the link to our website that appears on your site.
Sincerely,
David Walsh, PH.D.
Game Politics now say they have a copy of a reply from Jack Thompson, but they have yet to publish it. Stay tuned for more updates as Jack Thompson’s fifteen minutes draw to a dramatic and humiliating close.
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Comments
jonno394 14 Oct 2005 14:42
1/6
Jack Thompson is a mott. I'm glad some people are coming to there senses and standing against his tactics and innane ranting. Pure Meekrob!
Pilot13 14 Oct 2005 14:52
2/6
Ok, I'll go on the record and be a hypocrit here. Despite playing violent games most of my (young) life and having no (conscious) incentive to murder random people, I know games can affect people. Children especially. Video Games are, probably, the most effective method of advertising available, which is why companies are investing in advertising in said games. If McDonald's is evil for a series of 30 seconds (tops) clips in between episodes of Scooby Doo and Pokémon, surely games must affect minds also.
Which is why there are age limits here in the UK. There's controversy about them, but still...
however, Jack Thompson is a w****r, and I have a feeling this is his nervous breakdown.
Which is why there are age limits here in the UK. There's controversy about them, but still...
however, Jack Thompson is a w****r, and I have a feeling this is his nervous breakdown.
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fluffstardx 14 Oct 2005 19:48
3/6
Don't forget the fact he rang the creators of Penny Arcade - it's today's piece on their site, and the subject of their strip. The guy's crazy.
Violent games are a double edged sword - they can relieve stress and anger, or cause them. That's why age ratings should be like they are for films - no proof, no way. Educate the parents through TV via ELSPA or something...
Violent games are a double edged sword - they can relieve stress and anger, or cause them. That's why age ratings should be like they are for films - no proof, no way. Educate the parents through TV via ELSPA or something...
Pilot13 16 Oct 2005 13:44
4/6
I absolutely agree. I'm a pascifist, but games are great for venting frustrations. However, Jack Thompson is completely wrong in his assumptions of gamers. In one of his emails to the guy at VG Cats he suggests all gamers are druggies. Some are, but that's like me saying, all lawyers kill babies.
tyrion 17 Oct 2005 08:08
5/6
Pilot13 wrote:
Some are, but that's like me saying, all lawyers kill babies.
But, but ... all lawyers DO kill babies! Don't they?
Pilot13 18 Oct 2005 18:49
6/6
No, only some lawyers. That was my point.
I think
I think