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Another school shooting, another chance for Jack Thompson to slither onto Fox News with his "informed" opinion. In the above video, Thompson uses the Northern Illinois University rampage to provide his usual brand of conjecture and lies, which includes his continued linking of videogames to the Virginia Tech shooting, despite the fact that such a theory is already proven false.

Of particular note is how Jacky Boy uses this tragedy to try and hawk his book. Classy move there, Mr. Thompson. You really do tent your trousers every time you hear an ambulance siren, don't you? I've not read Thompson's book, by the way, but I know for a fact that it was what inspired Osama Bin Laden to orchestrate the 9/11 attack, and also caused the Stalinist purges.

The truth of the NIU shooting is that Stephen Kazmierczak was not taking his medication and was suffering some kind of mental condition. The 27-year-old grad student was unstable and unchecked. Once again, no proof of videogames "training" him before or after the fact, and once again, mainstream media allows games to be scrutinized before we even know what happened. Some people are pathetic.

Hal Halpin, president of the Electronic Consumers Association, had his own words to say on the tragedy and the early pitchfork gathering done by Mr. Thompson. His words can be caught after the jump.

Hal Halpin on the videogame connection to NIU:

We’d like to extend our condolences to the families, friends and classmates of those who were affected in the school shooting at Northern Illinois University.

Separately, we are disgusted, but no longer shocked, to find that anti-game activists are again rushing to conclusions about what drove Stephen Kazmierczak, the clearly disturbed 27-year-old who police say was responsible for this tragedy, to commit such an act.

Blaming video games for the behavior of the mentally-challenged is vile on many levels. And, as Generations X and Y mature, it is extremely likely that just about all of us have played at least one video game at some point in our lives.

Drawing a parallel between games and violence without any substantive proof is sensationalism for its own sake.  This is a sad event, made worse by the irresponsible actions of attention-seekers and the media that has given them a platform for their reckless venom.

Pretty much, is all I can say to that. Pretty much.


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123 comments | showing # 1 to 50

Arcanum's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:52
Arcanum
Fuck jack thompson
EternalDarkWing's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:53
EternalDarkWing
I was wondering to myself the other day while I read the news about the shooting how long it would take good ol' Mr. Thompson to get on this shit. Fuck you, Jack. Scumbag.
Chaosye's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:53
Chaosye
No one cares about him anymore.
Little Burro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:53
Little Burro
Fuck him right in the ear!
Sam Spectre's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:54
Sam Spectre
Video games are massacre simulators. You heard it first on Fox News.
Cheesemonger's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:55
Cheesemonger
jack thompson's anus is so loose it's a health hazard to people around him
Sindicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:55
Sindicate
"you can rehearse these type of massacres on simulators known as video games, and are there for made more proficient in doing this."

So..we're all just mindless idiots who 'train' to kill people and shoot up schools.

Your logic is flawless, Mr. Thompson.

Fuck. You.
Segasonicdude's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 20:57
Segasonicdude
WHAT!!!..........WHAT WHAT WHAT!!!

I thought they prooved the V-tech Shooter did not have Violent Video games
l0cke's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:01
l0cke
Why the hell would you put this on the homepage?
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:05
MechaMonkey
I think we should be more upset with Fox News. Everyone knows Jackie's bonkers, but there are people out there who still go to Fox for their news, and they believe this tripe.
Sam Spectre's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:05
Sam Spectre
This just makes me mad. I wish I never watched this >:(
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:05
Jim Sterling
l0cke: It's ... my job?
hammburglar's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:11
hammburglar
you see what you didnt mention jim was that the video games caused him to become mentally challenged.so you cant blame it on that. hes the real victim here.........if you must excuse me im off to continue my goomba stomping training. one day when the world is overrun with goombas jack will be thanking us.
Fenx's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:12
Fenx
And that's the same logic the FOX producers use, Jim.
Snoopbob2006's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:12
Snoopbob2006
He ran out of things to say so he mumbled for 10 seconds of fox news' air time

He honestly has no fucking clue what hes talking about

He mentioned apart of his book that got deleted what the fucks thats all about?? A kid going on state with a shotgun?? hes a fucking douchus bagacus
Hexen525's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:12
Hexen525
What a crock of SHIT!!! The Virgina Tech shooter was no gamer. His family and the couple friends he had all said as much. Why on God's green Earth would someone call that moron Jack Thompson, an "expert"? Only thing he is an expert of is getting tossed out of court rooms for childish behavor.
MiOdd's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:13
MiOdd
http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/power-glove/jack-thompson-i-m-begging-you-please-stop-it--70444.phtml

Power-glove beat you to it Jim.

Although thank you for adding the actual video, which of course just added to disgust.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:15
Jim Sterling
"Power-glove beat you to it Jim."

Does he post on the frontpage? No.

I've asked politely for people to stop doing this. It's annoying to nearly every editor on staff.
3r0t1c n3rd's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:17
3r0t1c n3rd
A day after the shooting and he already uses it for his career... I'm disgusted.
Also, how are you supposed to train how to use a gun in a video game? It's not like you just push a button in real life.
Corak's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:19
Corak
Living on the south side of Chicago this hit a little too close to home. My boss went to that school, and my cousin was planning on going there this fall. Jack's comments are baseless and are just an excuse to get on TV and hock his shit. What Jim said is correct, the ass who did the shooting was off his meds and lost it. A tragic story, something that no student or anyone should have to go through. Shit just last week we had 4 people killed in a women's clothing store execution style during a failed robery, shooter still at large, that happened about 10 mins from where I work. I hate to wish death to someone, but really why do good people like those students get killed and fucktard morons like Thompson go on living and spreading lies.

Also a little tid bit of info...last year there was a scare at the same school when threatning writing in a bathroom or a letter was found indicating an upcoming event like this one. They dismissed it as nothing, but its interesting this happened later on but nothing has been proven linking that event to this shooting.
Sirapak's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:21
Sirapak
Jim's right, truly scum.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:23
Samit Sarkar
Dang it, Jim, I was trying to find your old blog where you explained that the front page and the c-blogs are “two very different heads of the same animal” or something along those lines...you know, to put MiOdd in his place. But the oldest story in your blog that I can see was posted on December 31st. What gives?

Also, I love how he just babbled for two minutes about games, completely ignoring what I’m assuming was the intent of the original question (which asked about the fact that the shooter had graduated and was not a current student).

“Um...um...I forgot what I was gonna say, but read my book! It’s good...and stuff.” Fucking moron.
EatonTJ's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:23
EatonTJ
Jack Thompson and FOX NEWS are totally full of shit here. Whoever at FOX NEWS rang up Jack Thompson in order to get his opinion for this segment should be fired or in the least, suspended.

Totally deplorable and irresponsible journalism by FOX NEWS.

Jack Thompson is a disgusting human being. Total garbage.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:30
Jim Sterling
BrOnX: Here it is --

http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+Sterling/a-word-of-advice-to-c-bloggers-54748.phtml
Upgrayedd's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:31
Upgrayedd
All I know is that with the relatively mainstream success of games like Halo (violent, FPS, etc.) that people like Jack Thompson's days are numbered.

We just have to stand for what's right until more people that grew up gaming make it into office so no one gets retarded and starts censoring (beyond what the ESRB already does anyway. Jackasses.)
DOOM's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:36
DOOM
Did ya see the way the newscaster brushed him off, lol!
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:38
PrinceofCannedPeaches
It took the dude a total of two fucking seconds to get to the "video game" side of things. Two FUCKING seconds. Listen to that shit.

Interviewer: "What does this maybe tell you about the shooter, Jack?"
Jack: "Well, Bill, brain scans have shown that if you start out playing, say, for example violent video games..."

Had to be FOX, dinnit?
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:39
Mxyzptlk
Jesus... Sick, exploitive fuck doesn't even begin to cover it.
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:45
mistic
I suggest one of the dtoid-army should go on a (suicide-)mission to rid us of this evil!

but first hide all proof that you've ever played a game or it'll come back to haunt us!
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:48
Im OK
Jackhole and Faux Noise: Fits like a hand in a glove. Or maybe like a head up an ass in this case.
Fenx's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:52
Fenx
And that's the same logic the FOX producers use, Jim.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:54
Jim Sterling
Fenx: Yeah, I heard you the first time.

Your irony is very impressive.
MiOdd's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:57
MiOdd
:( sorry Jim... I must have missed that post... it won't happen again...
LusciousRichard's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 21:58
LusciousRichard
He cites a brain scan study that included a number of people that, I feel quite sure, never went on to become killers.

How did he know this crazy, dead young man was influenced by games? He dressed similarly to game protagonists.

And then he cited Virginia Tech, a sorry circumstance that has already been proven to be game unrelated.

Anyone, and I mean absolutely anyone, who has two brain cells to rub together and keeps up with the news even in passing could see that Jack "I'm An Expert On School Shootings" Thompson is talking straight out his arsehole.

On an unrelated side note, I am absolutely full to bursting with rage. (I lied, that part is totally related)
Orionsaint's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:03
Orionsaint
We do BRAIN SCANS! BRAIN SCANS! BRAIN SCANS! Every freakin appearance he says. BRAIN SCANS! BRAIN SCANS! Which are 100& accurate right Mr Thompson?
Orionsaint's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:09
Orionsaint
Oh yeah trained, of course. We're not playing video games for enjoyment. we're training on them. I can't wait to go play gears of war later and start my training. If you're using a video game to train yourself to kill. Then you're messed up to begin with. How accurate is training in a game anyway? It's not like the controllers are gun peripherals. We're using analog sticks and buttons. I never saw a gun shaped like a gamepad. I've been playing video games my whole life. I only held and shot a gun once and i can tell you. it felt nothing like a game. so i highly doubt counter strike can train you? is counter strike even popular anymore? pick a newer game thompson. how bout call of duty 4? Oh better not give him any ideas.
Sirapak's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:09
Sirapak
Why do people argue with Jim about what to post on the front page? This is so related to what we are all about.
MiOdd's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:15
MiOdd
@ Sirapak

To be fair, while I did call out Jim, I did also happen to comment about the topic at hand.

Also note, I'm new, I didn't mean to offend, I've seen it done before and thought it was funny. In retrospect however, I do feel rather proud that I was able to piss off one of my favorite editors here in the two short days I've been a member. Haha... but again, sorry Jim... :(
Sirapak's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:17
Sirapak
@ MiOdd

It's cool, I just like being told about all the angles.
Spykron's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:17
Spykron
christ i was going to watch it but the first thing he says is " i wish i wernt here" ive heard him say shit like that before. it sounds so fake.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:19
mix
He is a fucking douche bag with horrible views and opinions. Just cause his mom never bought him Coleco Vision doesn't mean he has to be all faggy about it, she should let him sleep in longer in the mornings as he's always a cranky bitch.

Someone needs to do a study to show how many people play video games that are not psycho handi-tards. Some people are mentally unstable so video games and movies that depict violence shouldn't be available to them. It's like sticking a pedophile in a room full of naked pre-schoolers not a great idea.

Video games are killing simulators, he fails hugely and rambles like a baboon. Jack I'm sorry were out of time "my book it has" Jack I'm sorry but were out of time "But I did studies with" Jack we are out of time......
The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:19
The-Excel
Jack Thompson once insinuated that Dave Thomas wouldn't condone having Wii toys in the kids' meals at Wendy's (I forget what they're called) because Manhunt 2 is available on it. If that's true, he wouldn't have advertised on television either since a lot more violence and sexual gratuity are more available on television, not to mention at much less hassle to the young people. It's a wonder why Jack Thompson is on television under this logic.
Eschatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:29
Eschatos
I actually thought that he was getting tamer, but damn, this is a new low.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:30
Jetsetlemming
Fox News specifically put Jack Thompson on because they know you'll watch him so you can go to the internet and rant on him. I hope you all get that message that they're pandering to a specific audience, i.e. you. The interviewer obviously doesn't give a fuck, isn't agreeing with Jack, he just fields him the sort of question that actually would make sense in a real interview, let the blowhard blow, then shut him up when the segment was over, and yay, instant ratings.
The solution to Jack Thomson TRULY, REALLY, ABSOLUTELY is to ignore him. He's 100% insignificant.
Fox isn't pandering to the old half-senile grandpa technophobe that doesnt' even know what a videogame is. That's not even Fox News's key demographic. The network as a whole is aimed towards young to middle aged businessmen/women, the kind of people who would recognize bullshit for bullshit when it comes to Jack Thompson, and have their eye caught by it. YOU'RE caught by it.
Resist temptation and turn off the motherfucking TV, and talk about something else on the interweb.
ConsummateK's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:39
ConsummateK
Jesus, Jim is pissed.

Also even for Jack the videogame reference here seemed forced.
JohnnyWadd's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 22:42
JohnnyWadd
Wow this is a bad appearance even by the usual crazy jack standards. He didn't even bother to answer the anchor's (they are still called "anchors" on fox right?) first question, he just launched into his brain scan monologue. Then stumbling and stuterring he managed to squeeze out the book plug.
Slade's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 23:04
Slade
just curious when we as a society stopped taking personal responsiblity for our actions and just said "hey if i do this, they'll blame it on something completely different and i'll look more like the victim...bah sad day in NIU, even more depressing for video games
s0lesurviv0r's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 23:14
s0lesurviv0r
"Oh my god, how could that happen?" was my immediate response when Columbine happened, 5 or so incidents later it's changed to "God damn it, now I have to put up with Jack Thompson's bullshit in my news."
Release82's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 23:17
Release82
This sad little man hides in the shadows and only appears when something like this happens.He takes advantage of tragedies like this to further his futile, useless campaign on video games and turn a profit at the same time.

If he would put this much effort into something like making people aware of the atrocities in Darfur, or working to raise funds for aids/cancer research you know, something that would really help, he may actually be taken seriously by people other than fox news lemmings.

It has been proven that the Virginia Tech shooter was not influenced by violent video games. UNRELATED! Yet this DOUCHE mentions the killer cho and how he was trained on violent games like counterstrike. Jack Thompson needs to go away.
LordRegulus's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/15/2008 23:20
LordRegulus
In before facepalms.

And bam:

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