Joao: I disagree. Saying that we’re relieved that someone more competent is not on the case, implies that we don’t want someone more competent on the case because we’ve got something to hide.

We don’t.

There are games that are violent. Violent games may be “worse” than traditional media because games are interactive. Violent games might be a trigger for aggressive behaviour.

What Jack Thompson (and the “enemy”) are saying, is that violent games are the trigger for aggressive behaviour. They’re saying, but-for violent videogames, we would not have had the columbine school shootings.

They’re saying violent videogames are worse than abusive parenting, or being socially ostracized, or racial/gender/sexually-oriented discrimination, or being a psycho to begin with, or any number of factors that contribute to violent behaviour.

As “argument”, they utilize well-known logical fallacies by appealing to emotion (You disagree with me? That means you condone Columbine!). As “evidence”, they utilize the ravings of the criminal himself (DOOM made me do it!)

…Right.

The most that will come of this is the prohibition of the sale of mature rated games to minors, something that everybody already agrees needs to be done.

By the way, the Florida Bar Association is looking into the Jack Thompson incident. Apparently, they didn’t know what he was doing.

Of course, Jack has his own angle on all this. I don’t doubt that he is a limelight hogging media whore who’s looking to advance his own political career. I disagree with his methods. Like being frivolously litigious. And displaying all-around ignorance. And being a self-righteous prat. And exaggerating facts. (PA instigated readers to kill him? What??) And being REALLY REALLY childish. The list goes on and on and on. Overall, you can’t trust Jack Thompson. Come on, the guy’s both a lawyer (heh, sorry, Ray!) AND a politician. Plus he looks creepy on camera. And he’s -ugh- a Democrat. What’s not to hate? I despise him.

Which is why I say we’re better off with Jack, an obvious cretin, on the witness stand. His character is called into question way too much for the informed observer to take his tripe seriously. In this way it’s easy for us of-age gamers to defend ourselves and the games we love. Not that we have anything to hide. If we were dealing with a more credible, respected member of society, the lies might not be quite as easy to expose.

And so you’ll know, I’m eager as any PA fan to find out the outcome of the Florida Bar investigation. I’m sure you are too. =)

Naw, s’okay. Us lawyers are scum. But I’m not a lawyer yet. Heh.

Perhaps I should amend my previous statement to say: Jack Thompson thinks games are the *biggest* triggers of violent behaviour.

Is that a fair statement? =)

Yeah, I want to know what’ll happen when the Florida Bar is done with him. They could revoke his license, or they might just give him a warning… or any number of things in between. I’m not sure how I feel about either outcome, yet. The news front’s been pretty quiet lately…