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Florida requests 10 years disbarment for Jack Thompson
The Florida Bar this week requested that embattled attorney Jack Thompson be disbarred for ten years based on the 27 misconduct charges he was found guilty of last month. Thompson was reportedly not there to hear said request, as he had walked out during the trial. According to a GamePolitics report, the attorney (acting as in propria persona) was not allowed by Judge Tunis to read aloud a lengthy objection that he had prepared. Thompson then questioned Judge Tunis' status as a judge and left the court room. Just to clarify: a request for disbarment is not an official punishment – the final decision is left up to Judge Tunis to decide.In other news, a federal lawsuit filed by Thompson against the Florida Supreme Court has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning that he cannot file it again. Thompson still has two other lawsuits pending related to his ongoing Bar trial.
Napa Valley winery flips on Flotovoltaic solar array
Chalk another one up for Sharp. The company has landed yet another partner willing to utilize its solar panels in order to make news, wow onlookers and give Mother Earth a modicum of a break. Napa Valley winery Far Niente has flipped on its self-coined Floatovoltaic installation, which was developed by Thompson Technology Industries and installed by SPG Solar. Nearly 2,300 Sharp solar panels were secured for the job, and we're told that the array generates 400 kWs at peak output, which "significantly offsets the winery's annual power usage and provides a net-zero energy bill." Don't expect that coveted bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to be any cheaper as a result, though.[Via CNET]
Boston Herald editorial questions Mass. game bill
As Massachusetts legislators meet today to discuss HB1423, a bill that would restrict access of minors to video games deemed too violent by the state, the normally obtuse Boston Herald has weighed in on the issue with a shockingly sane editorial.The newspaper lays out that the bill is another example of Boston Mayor Menino, who drafted the bill with Jack Thompson, trying to throw a "big idea against the wall in the hope that it might stick." The paper points out that just yesterday a similar, constitutionally murky bill failed, and asks if "lawmakers sponsoring the bill [are] willing to find money in their budgets to fight the inevitable court challenge?" The Boston Herald piece concludes that the mayor needs to make better use of his time than going after "such low-hanging fruit." We don't know about low-hanging, but it's definitely rotten and is going to cause taxpayers financial pain later between court costs and inevitably paying back the ESA for wasting its time.[Via GamePolitics]
Mass. legislators considering 'games-as-porn' bill
Tomorrow the Massachusetts legislature will discuss a bill that would make it illegal for minors to buy video games deemed too violent by the state (not through ESRB ratings such as M or AO). No similar law exists for movies, music or books. House Bill 1423 is dubbed a "games-as-porn" bill because the rationale used to prevent minors from buying violent video games is the same used on porn. The original bill was drafted by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino (pictured) with assistance from Jack Thompson and legislative sponsor Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry (D).GamePolitics points out HB1423 is based on a failed Utah bill and, given the history of other similar bills, it seems odd that Massachusetts would potentially be putting itself (and taxpayer dollars) at risk of repaying the ESA for fighting this bill in court.
Jack Thompson offers to help EA with Take-Two takeover
Last week, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello revealed an offer put forward to Take-Two Interactive executive chairman Strauss Zelnick to buyout T2 for nearly $2 billion. Zelnick expediently and publicly shot down the offer, though this battle of the peculiar last names was far from over -- since then we've heard that other companies took interest in T2 after EA was shot down, though certain industry analysts believe EA will eventually win out. Yesterday brought news of a new player on the field that could tip the battle in EA's favor -- Enter: Jack Thompson!Yes, everyone's favorite Floridian moralist (and T2 shareholder) recently threw his support behind Electronic Arts in an impassioned letter, saying he would help "evict the Zelnick Trojan Horse from within Take-Two's corporate walls". We think that EA and J.T. would be strange bedfellows, given Thompson's denunciation of Sims 2 a few years back -- though his uncustomary defense of Mass Effect might have rebuilt that once-burnt bridge. How about it, EA? Is your raid on Take-Two LFM?
Five-star Thompson Toronto hotel to boast 42-inch plasmas
New York-based Thompson Hotel is branching out, and reportedly, it's getting set to break ground on a new building outside of US borders. Set to open in the summer of 2009, Thompson Toronto is slated to become yet another five-star hotel in the Canadian city when it opens at 550 Wellington St. W. at Bathurst. Apparently, the venue will consist of three high-rise towers with "floor-to-ceiling windows, 42-inch plasma TVs, private 40-seat screening rooms, and creative, interdisciplinary decor by Barcelona design studio Estudio Marsical." In case that wasn't enough, you'll also find an outdoor skating rink and a rooftop pool and bar, but sadly, we've no idea how many high-definition channels will be allowed to grace those PDPs.[Via HotelChatter]
Jack Thompson graces Game Head this evening
The fabulous Jack Thompson makes a rare appearance in public on Geoff Keighley's Game Head on Spike TV at 1AM tonight. As long as Keighley doesn't pull any punches this could be quite entertaining. Subjects include discussing the man behind the curtain who fills gamers with rage, and what kids at school say about his son -- now that's the question we've always wanted to ask!Game Head seems to be focusing on video game violence as they also speak to Spencer Halpin about his film Moral Kombat. There is also a debate between Lorne Lanning (Oddworld) and Thompson moderated by Newsweek's N'Gai Croal (which we covered live earlier this month). Set those DVRs just in case you'll be out causing violence this evening after playing all those video games.
Morning crazy pill: LaRouche PAC says Halo 3 'destroying US'
There's some good amounts of crazy going on this morning. For starters, Jack Thompson had his son buy the M-rated Halo 3 yesterday; just like he had his son buy the M-rated BioShock a couple weeks ago. But after the whole "sending gay porn into court" thing from yesterday, we just can't be bothered to write about Thompson's kid. What we can tell you is that another one of our favorites on the train o' Planters is stepping up this morning. The LaRouche PAC, who you may recall from the Virginia Tech massacre as working the "video games made Cho do it" angle even though no evidence was ever found, have written an article that should really be taken in pure "lawlz." The article is Halo 3: The 'Third Wave' of Destroying the U.S. -- and let us tell you, totally worth the read.Now before you go reading it, we highly recommend you not have any liquids in your mouth or they may come shooting out of your nose, and if you're a rager, just try to laugh a little. Oh, also, make sure to read it like Andrew Ryan from BioShock is reading it to you -- it makes a world of difference. For example, try out this line: "For all those individuals salivating about the new Halo 3 video game, ask yourself the question: what is the difference between man and beast?" The article continues later, "[With Second Life, or Halo 3] either way, the dehumanization process occurs in any instance, by the first-person shooter games' precision to kill another object, or by the adoption of an arbitrary set of anti-scientific, anti-principled rules, like that of Second Life ... The vicious attack on the human mind by this cybernetics cult has been one of the key tricks by the oligarchy, that has arrested the development of the youth, today, preventing any consistent intellectual and political motion to change the world." Fantastical amounts of crazy await those about to read the full article. Enjoy!Read: Halo 3: The 'Third Wave' of Destroying the U.S.Read: Thompson & Son at it again ... says junior bought Halo 3 at Target.[Via GamePolitics]
Jack Thompson submits gay porn to court -- judge not amused
Although not exactly linked to his continuing video game related litigation, Jack Thompson submitting gay porn in court documents could certainly impact his ability to practice law in Florida and continue those cases. GamePolitics really has all the details on what's going on here, the backstory gets really complex. The main gist is Thompson believes the Florida Bar, in their continued effort to have him disbarred, is collaborating against him with a gay activist attorney from Miami who owns NationalGayNews (NGN). In a move to discredit this other lawyer, Thompson submitted to the court graphic content from adult entertainment advertisers the NGN links to in an attempt to show that this other lawyer was in the business of distributing "hardcore porn to anyone of any age." Judge Adalberto Jordan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida was not amused -- at all.Judge Jordan issued an order that Thompson show cause as to why he shouldn't face sanctions or contempt charges for the act. Obviously the judge didn't see the relevance of Thompson's evidence. See, the funny thing is because Thompson submitted these as court documents they are "made available for unlimited public viewing, on the court's docketing system." The images according to Judge Jordan include "several graphic images of oral and genital sex between adult males, [and were] filed electronically in the docket in this case, without prior permission from the court." Thompson now must justify his actions by Oct. 5 as to why he shouldn't be referred to the Florida court's review board. The bizarre thing about all of this -- beyond the porn if you can believe it -- is that Thompson upset the judge who'll decide the case of if the Florida Bar can stop him from practicing law.
GE readies its InfoLink phones for November
GE is about to be bringing more good things to life with the launch of its DECT 6.0 phone / phone service called InfoLink. The premise of the technology is simple: instead of switching on your PC or looking at your PDA or mobile phone for basic info (such as weather, stocks, news, etc.) you'd simply pick up your color-LCD-equipped InfoLink phone (the "fourth screen" as they call it) and scroll through the information. The hybrid phones will deliver the goods over your DSL or cable modem, and will carry RSS feeds from places like MSNBC, the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and Homeland Security (for all your terror-alert needs). The InfoLink device will also do more boring things as well, like call-waiting and caller ID, HD-sound intercom, speaker phone, and melody ring tones. The sweet package can be yours in November for $179.99, with additional handsets available for $79.99.
Thompson sends own son on personal sting operation against Best Buy
We have just received an email from Attorney Jack Thompson stating that his 15-year-old son purchased the Mature-rated game BioShock from a local Best Buy. Thompson informs us that BioShock is created by "the notorious Take-Two interactive," you may remember them from publishing such ultra-violent games as Grand Theft Auto. Thompson says that in using his son in a sting operation, he's proven "that Take-Two's upcoming releases of hyperviolent and sex-themed Manhunt 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV will be widely sold to kids of all ages, despite promises by Take-Two, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and major retailers." No word if Thompson will allow his son to play the copy of BioShock he purchased.Thompson goes on to say that retailers and the gaming industry are "engaged in a fraudulent and deceptive trade practice across the nation" by claiming to check IDs. This is exacerbated by his son purchasing the M-rated game from the same Best Buy store Thompson sent his son to buy Grand Theft Auto: Vice City at when he was 10-years-old. Thompson is demanding that Best Buy fire the store's manager and the girl with the "piercing through her right eyebrow" who sold his son the game. Thompson finishes by saying, "The entire video game age rating system is a fraud perpetrated upon American families from sea to shining sea." We should keep that in mind the next time we recruit our own child into a crusade and approve of him or her purchasing an M-rated game.
Thompson mentally fit according to Dr. Wunderman
Following the Florida Bar's option of seeking psychological testing or face a 91-day suspension, GamePolitics has the details of Jack Thompson seeing a psychologist on his own dime who said he is allegedly free of mental health issues. The analysis was done by a Dr. Wunderman and Thompson filed the psych. report yesterday to go with a pair of lawsuits he has against the Florida Bar.According to Thompson's psychologist Dr. Wunderman, "Mr. Thompson appears to be a thoughtful, prosocial and erudite man whose life is anchored, fortified and enriched by his Evangelical Christianity. I find no evidence that his faith distorts, clouds or impairs his personal or professional judgment." Wunderman during his analysis focused on if Thompson suffers from mental illness, if he's obsessed with porn and obscenity and if he's obsessed with stopping the sale of violent games to minors. "Obsessed" being a clinical term here and not what we'd all clearly say is obsession. Thompson also says he will try to cut down on his use of hyperbole and sarcasm in his motions and says he knows he may have offended with his writings. It'll be interesting to see if the Florida Bar asks for Thompson to see their own psychologist.
Manhunt 2 on Wii a concern for Florida Attorney General
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, in an un-aired interview with Fox News reporter Orlando Salinas, is concerned over the release of the Rockstar's Manhunt 2 for the Wii. McCollum is apparently concerned over the motion controls, which are expected to simulate general movements of a murderous nature. GamePolitics has the details, but at this point it looks like a lot of posturing and not too many actions words like: investigate, interrogate and, our favorite, sue.The Fox News report was originally expected to air last night, but is now being slated closer to Manhunt 2's July release. Fox News also spoke with Jack Thompson, who sent a letter to McCollum and Florida Governor Charlie Crist about the game. A portion of the letter says, "Florida retailers are scheduled to sell a very violent video game called Manhunt 2 which will be available, remarkably, for "play" on the kids-friendly Nintendo Wii gaming platform ... [it] utilizes hand-held motion capture devices... It is a training device."Here's where it gets good. According to GamePolitics sources, McCollum will not be focusing on the PS2 or PSP version ... only the Wii. One source says, "That's where they're kicking up their heels." At this point, neither McCollum, nor Gov. Crist have made any official statements on the game. Thompson asked that Manhunt 2 be declared a public nuisance, which also tried and failed to do in 2006 with Bully. We can already imagine the headline if this escalates: Nintendo Wiimote waggles into court over Manhunt 2.
Jack Thompson goes after Wendy's
The ever-antagonistic Jack Thompson is up to his usual business of publicly decrying anything remotely connected to video games. It doesn't get much more remote than Wendy's. According to GamePolitics, Jack sent an angry email to the CEO of the company about their association with the Wii.As we know, Manhunt 2 will be released on the Wii. And as we also know, Wendy's has begun giving away promotional Wii-themed toys. It might be kind of hard to tell from the picture, but look closely and you'll see that the toys have nothing to do with Manhunt 2.We may only be amateur logicians, but in addition to the inaccurate claim that the promotion of the Wii is an indirect endorsement of Manhunt 2, we think we see a hasty generalization here: one violent game doesn't mean that the entire set of Wii games (which contains the games promoted here) is violent, or that the Wii is a violent platform. Feel free to correct our analysis in the comments. We could always use more logic in our discussions of Mr. Thompson.
Thompson balks at free game violence debate
We know it's been a Jack-Thompson-filled couple of weeks here on Joystiq, but we can't help it if the guy keeps doing newsworthy stuff (or can we?). Anyway, we were kind of surprised to hear today that the latest bit of hate-filled invective Thompson hurled at IGDA president Jason Della Rocca actually came close to developing into something more than name calling. Apparently, Della Rocca tried to accept Thompson's challenge "to one or more college debates, anywhere anytime, to discuss whether violent video games in any fashion caused school killings..."A series of e-mails, reprinted on Della Rocca's blog, details the back and forth between the pair on the debate's location and particulars. When the subject of money comes up, Thompson reveals that they can "expect to net approximately $3000 or more per event" though he's quick to add that he's "not in this issue for the money." When Della Rocca balks at being paid to talk, Thompson puts it bluntly: "That isn't how it works and I can't justify leaving my family to go to Montreal on a freebie. Sorry. Have to pay the bills."Now we can understand the need to make ends meet as much as anybody, but when you make a boast to publicly debate someone "anywhere anytime," the cost of a plane ticket shouldn't really be a deal breaker. That is, unless Thompson can't live up to his own taunt to "put your mouth where your money is." As Della Rocca puts it, it seems that sometimes "the critics of media violence are in fact the ones profiting most from real-world violence and fears of virtual violence."
Take-Two counters lawyer's 'nuisance' threat
Take-Two Interactive has filed a preemptive suit against attorney Jack Thompson. This past Saturday, Thompson hatched plans to meddle in the sales of future Take-Two and Rockstar titles Manhunt 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV. Take-Two claims that if Thompson were to succeed in having the games declared public nuisances (under Florida law), the action would violate the publisher's First Amendment rights. Take-Two hopes its petition to the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida will crush Thompson's proposed suit before it grows wings. Plan B? Drop a DDT-bomb on his dome.Last fall, Florida courts rejected a similar suit filed by Thompson that sought to restrict sales of Take-Two's "Sim Columbine" Bully.Update: Read the lawsuit.
DragThing updated to 5.7.2
The venerable (more than 11 years since v1.0!) launch utility DragThing has been revised to version 5.7.2, adding three new dock themes and clipping tools while squashing a few bugs. I've been a DragThing user since v2 and despite the siren call of QuickSilver, DT still holds a place in my heart and on my desktop.DragThing is shareware, with license costs ranging from $29 for a single user to $2000 for a worldwide license (if you plan on running it from orbit, you may want to talk to your lawyer). The update is free for existing users of v5.
Wii Warm Up: Jacky-boy
O', Jack Thompson, thou art gold for gaming journalists such as ourselves. Your wacky hijinks and unceasing, irrational behavior fill our lives with joy. But amidst his juvenile catcalling, logical fallacies, and overall rejection of sanity, we look at the upcoming Manhunt 2 and begin to wonder. This game might be, with the inclusion of the Wii controller, the most realistically violent game in the history of mankind. Though we still firmly believe that a game will never be the true cause of mental imbalances and disorders, we still have absolutely no system in place to prevent the sales of these games to minors; whatever you may think about Jack Thompson, this goal is an admirable one.The industry is going to take heavy fire for this game regardless, but we feel as though his arguments hold a bit of water in this particular case. Do you feel strongly about the issue, and do you think we should have measures in place to prevent the acquisition of these games by kids who aren't equipped to properly process the violence in a nondestructive manner?
Joystiq interviews Brenda Brathwaite about sex and games
One could say Brenda Brathwaite wrote the book on sex in games -- and they'd be right. She is the author of Sex in Video Games, lead designer on Playboy: The Mansion, founder and chair of IGDA's Sex Special Interest Group and professor of game design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Brathwaite spoke with Joystiq about next week's Game Developer's Conference, how to keep sexual content under control and the story of the year that really got her blood pressure elevated.At the Game Developers Conference this year you'll be talking about the business end of designing erotic games. What does that mean?We're doing two roundtables this year at the request of previous attendees: designing erotic games and, second, the business end of erotic games. This will give attendees a chance to really get into each issue deeply. When it comes to designing erotic games, I expect we will probably cover such things as appealing to a diverse sexual audience, incorporating fetish play, MMO design, and pitching games to existing adult stars and publishing powerhouses. There's also interest from many people in solving that M-rated issue: how can we maturely incorporate mature themes into the narrative of the play – the same stuff you'd see in an R-rated movie – without being locked out of retail? Games have certainly done it, and as our ability to tell stories in games increases, figuring out how to do it well is becoming more an more an issue. The average gamer is a guy in his 30's, you know. Shows from Lost to Grey's Anatomy feature mature storylines that we, in games, feel at risk to take.
Jack Thompson at it again, wants Manhunt 2 pulled from UK
According to online reports, Jack Thomspon allegedly made a post on a Manhunt forum (we're unsure as to which forum) where he once again called Rockstar Games into question and implicated the original Manhunt as being responsible for the murder of one Stefan Pakeerah, who was murdered in the UK in 2004 by supposed friend Warren LeBlanc. The police, however, could not find sufficient evidence linking the game to the murder.We've included this entire post, which Thompson allegedly made in the forum, after the post break.[Thanks, Andrew; via WiiPals]
