Jack Thompson Threatens NIU With Lawsuit

Infamous videogame hater Jack Thompson has threatened Northern Illinois University with a lawsuit in relation to the killing of five students at the university last Thursday.

Thompson is seeking copies of "all documents that reveal Steven Kazmierczak's play of violent videogames," he said in a letter sent to the public safety department at NIU as well as to GamePolitics. Thompson centers out Counter-Strike as the game the killer used to "rehearse" for the attacks, adding, "The killers in the two worst school massacres in history - in Erfurt, Germany, and at Virginia Tech University - similarly trained on Counter-Strike to rehearse for their killing sprees."

"If I am not provided with this information," Thompson added, "I shall bring a civil action to secure these documents."

On February 14, Kazmierczak, 27, killed five people and then himself on February 14, three weeks after going off his anti-depression medication. His girlfriend, Jessica Baty, said he stopped taking the medication because "it made him feel like a zombie," but denied reports that he had been behaving erratically since then.

When contacted to confirm he had sent the letter, Thompson referred to Dennis McCauley of GamePolitics as an "idiot."

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I'm...not...going to touch this.

Actually, I can't resist. This reminds me of a recent episode of SNL where there were these two people singing (horribly, I might add), and when it was over, someone who was listening said, "That just was." That's my statement for anything that is stupid beyond words. That Just Was.

Personally I'd like to see copies of "all documents that reveal Jack Thompson's play of violent videogames,"

I mean, he either has played them, and is rehearsing a crazed rampage.

Or he's never played them, and he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Sound sensible?

[Edit : Oh and IANAL but why does the University have files on what games people play, and what civil action can give personal details of someone to an unconnected party? Surely that's an infringement on the Right of Silence? And the Data Protection Act?]

He's jumping on this tragedy to bolster his own little crusade.

That's just disgusting to me.

The_root_of_all_evil:

[Edit : Oh and IANAL but why does the University have files on what games people play, and what civil action can give personal details of someone to an unconnected party? Surely that's an infringement on the Right of Silence? And the Data Protection Act?]

If the University logs internet traffic its rather easy to se what games he has been playing online and if Mr Thompson is doing a criminal investigation, not showing them might be a "obstruction of justice".

sammyfreak:

If the University logs internet traffic its rather easy to se what games he has been playing online and if Mr Thompson is doing a criminal investigation, not showing them might be a "obstruction of justice".

That's actually scarier than any school massacre...

Its seems Mr Thompson has dropped to a new low.

I'll send him my congratulations right away.

It wasn't videogames Jack! Its Valentine's Day thats to blame!

The_root_of_all_evil:

sammyfreak:

If the University logs internet traffic its rather easy to se what games he has been playing online and if Mr Thompson is doing a criminal investigation, not showing them might be a "obstruction of justice".

That's actually scarier than any school massacre...

I was just guessing so dont take my word for it, if somebody here has any legal experience in US could they give an opinion?

Hmm actually the 2nd worst school shooting, and until the Virginia Tech incident the one that resulted in the most deaths took place in Dunblane, Scotland in 1996 I am pretty sure CS had nothing to do with that.....

sammyfreak:

The_root_of_all_evil:

[Edit : Oh and IANAL but why does the University have files on what games people play, and what civil action can give personal details of someone to an unconnected party? Surely that's an infringement on the Right of Silence? And the Data Protection Act?]

If the University logs internet traffic its rather easy to se what games he has been playing online and if Mr Thompson is doing a criminal investigation, not showing them might be a "obstruction of justice".

Jack Thompson isn't a district attorney; he's a douche. He has no authority to initiate a criminal investigation. That falls under either the state or federal judicial system, neither of which he is a part of.

That's starting to sound better. I know he got kicked out of one of the Conservative organisations for being too right-wing.

And he never did pay up, unlike Childsplay/Penny Arcade. Be interesting to see what Tycho says tomorrow.

Here's one for you: Yeah, Jack. Go right ahead and sue NIU. And all the gamers in the country will be showing up as expert witnesses for the University.

sergeantz:

sammyfreak:

The_root_of_all_evil:

[Edit : Oh and IANAL but why does the University have files on what games people play, and what civil action can give personal details of someone to an unconnected party? Surely that's an infringement on the Right of Silence? And the Data Protection Act?]

If the University logs internet traffic its rather easy to se what games he has been playing online and if Mr Thompson is doing a criminal investigation, not showing them might be a "obstruction of justice".

Jack Thompson isn't a district attorney; he's a douche. He has no authority to initiate a criminal investigation. That falls under either the state or federal judicial system, neither of which he is a part of.

Excelent, but what would happen if distract attorney would press the case?

Let's all just silently ignore this and hope the lunatic goes away. Don't make eye contact, don't respond to him. Just ignore him entirely. We all know that he's a crazy idiot who wants every tragedy turned into part of his hate campaign. So let's just...yeah.

Ignore him.

I hope Florida revokes his bar soon.

This is just outright disgusting. If he uses 5 people dying to advance his career, he needs to be punished in a court of law.

propertyofcobra:
Let's all just silently ignore this and hope the lunatic goes away. Don't make eye contact, don't respond to him. Just ignore him entirely. We all know that he's a crazy idiot who wants every tragedy turned into part of his hate campaign. So let's just...yeah.

Ignore him.

Bold plan. I commend you for it. Let's try it. /ignores Jack

propertyofcobra:
Let's all just silently ignore this and hope the lunatic goes away. Don't make eye contact, don't respond to him. Just ignore him entirely. We all know that he's a crazy idiot who wants every tragedy turned into part of his hate campaign. So let's just...yeah.

Ignore him.

Hasn't it been the fact that ignoring him gives him more power over the people? The gaming community know he's nuts, but a nutty person with a megaphone can be a powerful person.

He's an ambulance-chasing lawyer with a bible. He'll be disbarred soon, but that won't stop him. For him to go after this tradegy and look for the little things that might shine light towards his way and a couple microphones from TV stations is disgusting. He has no respect for people when he goes after his own agenda.

WNxSajuukCor:

propertyofcobra:
Let's all just silently ignore this and hope the lunatic goes away. Don't make eye contact, don't respond to him. Just ignore him entirely. We all know that he's a crazy idiot who wants every tragedy turned into part of his hate campaign. So let's just...yeah.

Ignore him.

Hasn't it been the fact that ignoring him gives him more power over the people? The gaming community know he's nuts, but a nutty person with a megaphone can be a powerful person.

He's an ambulance-chasing lawyer with a bible. He'll be disbarred soon, but that won't stop him. For him to go after this tradegy and look for the little things that might shine light towards his way and a couple microphones from TV stations is disgusting. He has no respect for people when he goes after his own agenda.

I feel compelled to bring this up here. What is everyone's thoughts about a gaming lobby (as in political, DC-type lobbyist)?

If its done properly a gaming lobby would be great. But it would be important that the people running it would be rather serius about it. If it wasent done properly it could further alienate the gaming industry.

Lobbyism equals using money to gain political influence and leverage beyond what others can hope to achieve.
Ergo, a country with lobbyism clearly states that money equals political power.
Ergo, lobbyism is further from democracy than no lobbyism.

Ergo, lobbyism would add to the problem, not the solution.

Lobbyism is about promoting the cause of a specific intrest group, unfortunately its done mostly with money these days.

I, like everyone else, am just so 'meh' over Jackie Boy right now. The guy in Virginia did not play video games. There were witnesses who could vouch for this. Stop harping on about it, for you will reap only ruin.

Malygris:

Virginia Tech University

What a dumbass Jack Thompson is. Didnt they find that the V tech guy very rarely played games, or not at all?

propertyofcobra:
Lobbyism equals using money to gain political influence and leverage beyond what others can hope to achieve.
Ergo, a country with lobbyism clearly states that money equals political power.
Ergo, lobbyism is further from democracy than no lobbyism.

Ergo, lobbyism would add to the problem, not the solution.

Well, I think, if done properly, that lobbyism isn't necessarily exclusive from democracy. But, you and others are right. Money too commonly is used to lobby for one cause or another.

true but he still keeps saying that lies. But of course violent movies, music, tv and stuff on the internet isn't a factor - im sure 15 minture on the net you can learn more about killing someone effectoley, as well as get the weapons nessasary than in a life time of gaming.

I had to do an essay on the interactive media and the effects on people. (quite interesing reading the reports) It true games can uncensored you but that take a long time than say violent movies and tv. As for making you move violent - only young children and very mental unstable people are really effective and influanced, but these games are for children in the first place and the mental unstable.. well what can we do about that sadly... To everyone the violents in games is accutally an adrenalines rush though the excitement - any anger is frustration in ether loosing through unfairness, toughness or bad luck. These 2 elements are changed are determented by the natural aggressiveness of the person, but thats though upbringing and also what your born with :/

But being games really you learn that first hand XD so not much supries in most of the reserch ... apart from one.

Mario and pacman are Violent games!

Jack Thompson is a tunnel-visioned, unintelligent, psychopath who is on the verge of being disbarred (oh, dare I dream?). End of story...

wadark:
Jack Thompson is a tunnel-visioned, unintelligent, psychopath who is on the verge of being disbarred (oh, dare I dream?). End of story...

I agree, the man is so blinded by his hatred of videogames and trying to blame everything bad on them that he dosen't realise what an idiot he looks like to everyone else in the world.

Malygris:

On February 14, Kazmierczak, 27, killed five people and then himself on February 14, three weeks after going off his anti-depression medication. His girlfriend, Jessica Baty, said he stopped taking the medication because "it made him feel like a zombie," but denied reports that he had been behaving erratically since then.

Hang on... the fact he stopped taking anti-depression medication before the shooting is irrelevant according to Jack is it? The violent game he may have played at some point must be the main factor, obviously. Sigh, sometimes I wonder...

FW: Evidence.
To Mr. Thompson.

Hello.
You might be interested by the following information.
I think I have found some very solid evidence.

Regards.

I think I'm going to go play some violent video games now. Need to release some of this anger so I don't go on a rampage.

I...I am speechless! I am out of speech!

Just when you think, "There's no possible way that this could any more fubar'd". Well, there you go.

propertyofcobra:
Let's all just silently ignore this and hope the lunatic goes away. Don't make eye contact, don't respond to him. Just ignore him entirely. We all know that he's a crazy idiot who wants every tragedy turned into part of his hate campaign. So let's just...yeah.

Ignore him.

I like to think of Mr. Thompson as a bad dream. Forget about it, and it'll go away. Flaming him online is exactly what he wants. If we all say he's a retard, or that he's senile, or insane, OR if we threaten to harm/kill him, it all paints the picture he wants to show.

We all know that Jack's point is irrelevant. Most of the world knows that he's just flapping his lips and ejecting hot air. The Florida Court system already has revoked his license in the past, as he has taken a personal interest in his cases and he has filed many cases that have been thrown out of court. Let him try and make another case about "video games are bad". Let him struggle pointlessly to prove how wrong he is. Don't stress about it. There are bigger things to fear in life than Jack Thompson, like the Zombie Apocolyse...or a quadraplegic kitten.

TheNecroswanson:
No, not really, he's been hitting up murders and suicides as Videogame related for a while. Like the one where a kid commited suicide by drinking anti-freeze. He blaimed Diablo.

Okay, I'll bite. How in the name of Clint Eastwood did he make the connection between drinking anti-freeze and Diablo? Or was the kid playing Act III of Diablo 2 when he decided to off himself?

Damn pygmies...