Game Over
Jack Thompson, who has crusaded nationwide against video game violence, didn't take the news well that Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. pulled the plug on Rep. Michael Morley's video game bill.
Under the bill, which Thompson drafted, stores that sold mature-rated video games to children after advertising they would not (at least the third time the same clerk violates the rule) could be sued for up to $2,000 and attorneys fees.
There was, no question, a massive lobbying campaign, driven by the software industry and gamers, urging Huntsman to veto the bill.
The governor ultimately vetoed the bill, saying it raised constitutional concerns and retailers would simply remove the age guideline labels from the games rather than expose themselves to liability.
Bunk, says Thompson, who says there were no legitimate constitutional concerns. Thompson is a former attorney, although he was disbarred in Florida last year for misconduct. (Hat Tip to Game Politics. )
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff begs to differ with Thompson. He told me last night that his office had expressed its concerns "with several different iterations of the bill" while it was pending before the Legislature.
"Ultimately, we could probably make an argument to defend it, but we will be sued, it will be costly. If we lose we will pay attorneys fees. Wouldn't you rather spend that money educating people about the rating system?" he asked. "The governor apparently decided it wasn't worth the risk."
But Thompson sees something even more nefarious. He alleges that Huntsman was bought off by the industry. His proof? A $500 contribution from the Electronic Software Association the governor received in 2006.
Evidently, the video game industry bought off the governor for about the price of a new Playstation 3 and a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV. A crappy economy leads to some very good bargains, apparently.
"This pay-to-play nonsense is precisely why most Americans have lost trust in their elected officials at all levels," Thompson said in a press release. "Maybe Huntsman can start his own lobbying firm with Ron Blagojevich once both are out of office."
Ron Blagojevich, presumably, is some relation to the former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
-- Robert Gehrke
Under the bill, which Thompson drafted, stores that sold mature-rated video games to children after advertising they would not (at least the third time the same clerk violates the rule) could be sued for up to $2,000 and attorneys fees.
There was, no question, a massive lobbying campaign, driven by the software industry and gamers, urging Huntsman to veto the bill.
The governor ultimately vetoed the bill, saying it raised constitutional concerns and retailers would simply remove the age guideline labels from the games rather than expose themselves to liability.
Bunk, says Thompson, who says there were no legitimate constitutional concerns. Thompson is a former attorney, although he was disbarred in Florida last year for misconduct. (Hat Tip to Game Politics. )
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff begs to differ with Thompson. He told me last night that his office had expressed its concerns "with several different iterations of the bill" while it was pending before the Legislature.
"Ultimately, we could probably make an argument to defend it, but we will be sued, it will be costly. If we lose we will pay attorneys fees. Wouldn't you rather spend that money educating people about the rating system?" he asked. "The governor apparently decided it wasn't worth the risk."
But Thompson sees something even more nefarious. He alleges that Huntsman was bought off by the industry. His proof? A $500 contribution from the Electronic Software Association the governor received in 2006.
Evidently, the video game industry bought off the governor for about the price of a new Playstation 3 and a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV. A crappy economy leads to some very good bargains, apparently.
"This pay-to-play nonsense is precisely why most Americans have lost trust in their elected officials at all levels," Thompson said in a press release. "Maybe Huntsman can start his own lobbying firm with Ron Blagojevich once both are out of office."
Ron Blagojevich, presumably, is some relation to the former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
-- Robert Gehrke
6:37 PM
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7 Comments:
Ok, Gehrke, you've now established that $500 is insufficient to buy improper influence. Now, quit writing about legislative gifts and meals, which never equal that much.
Jack is basicly having another sour grapes moment and also he is going on his old playbook move, If I can't win, try and destroy his or her in the eyes of the public. Same bull he pulled on a judge that was not going to rule his way in one of the many GTA court cases, clamed the judge was not on the up and up.
Oh, Mr. Thompson. How you make us laugh.
You should have become a late night talk show host. That way you can kick and scream and insult everything in sight and make money doing it.
I guess Mr. Jack Thompson will go out on his usual tirade. "They didn't do as I wanted so I am going to scream and cry like a child! It isn't my fault, it is YOUR fault!" There is a reason this nutcase was stripped of his law license. Accusing judges, lawyers, attorney generals, and even governors of being bought by the video game industry to go against him. Vast conspiracy indeed...
@Batman
HOLD IT!
Jack amuses you as well? Well, what do you know, he makes me laugh too!
Funny that they mention GamePolitics. I guess it's b/c I'm a member there, but then I think I've seen "Achtung Spitfire" there before.
Jack Thompson got pwned.
Wow, dumbest article I've read recently. For the 2008 campaign Huntsman raised almost $1,000,000, and this guys making a fuss about $500, as if that had sway in the decision. That's 5 thousandths of a percent of what he raised.
The law was a dumb and superfluous anyway.
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