Quote:
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.
...
So...
...he has a son.
...someone had relations with him.
...that woman is foolish. Foolish I say!
He's still legally incapable of taking action against Take-Two and the idea of making the purchase of these games illegal has been ruled unconstitutional on multiple occasions.
Basically this is the equivalent of an old man going through all the cans at a supermarket to find a dented one and then try to call the manager and demand he get it half price.
The man has no power and is dangerously close to being debarred. We should just ignore his senile rantings.
If his son turns out to be a prick just like him...well, I dunno. I honestly don't know. =(
Quote:
Basically this is the equivalent of an old man going through all the cans at a supermarket to find a dented one and then try to call the manager and demand he get it half price.
Craig, that actually happens. And they get mad when the manager says no.
I'm more surprised that his son managed to get through enough to buy himself an M-rated game.
How could Jack let his son buy an M rated game!!?!?!?
Hahaha, ratings systems are so superficial.
wow... I've never been ID'ed for an R-rated movie before... And wasn't carded last weekend (That's a different story though... I know/ was sitting next to the owner of the restaurant)...
Bad parenting is to blame... I think Jack should be tried for letting his son buy a game that he wasn't supposed to 
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That is some bullshnot. That's not the video game industry out to get you, that's an idiot employee at a Best Buy who should get fired for not doing her job and carding a kid under 17.
Hey Mr James Tanners, (I refuse to say his name and give him more publicity), take that crap to GameStop and EB and see how far he goes. We'll gladly send your kid packing and await for you to come in and tell us why the hell your son wants Bioshock and Grand Theft Auto.
Man, if Tax Jumpsman lived in my area and I knew who his son was, I'd bar him from my store, then his unprofessional self, just out of all the damage he is causing my business; fraudulent claims and soliciting in my damn store. He's a really stubborn zit in this industry, and he just won't stop showing his damn face.
Best Buy sold someone an M-rated game? Clearly Take-Two is to blame for this heinous atrocity, because they control who Best Buy sells their games to!
ESRB is not legally binding and it is unconstitutional to make it so!
if this had happened in the UK he would have had a bit more standing, although still not against Take Two
Does anybody know how old his son looks? I know it doesn't make it right that they sold to a minor, but a 15 year old can look over 17, hell I've barely changed since I was 14, and that was 7 years ago, and I knew others who could pass for 25 who were my age in school.
From what I know from working in retail, you can only go by assumptions, someone who looks 18 could still be 15, someone who looks 15 could be 21, and it's only the latter who'll most likely be IDed.
After reading the topic and the replies, I just keep asking: Why do people (specially politicians) keep reminding me that they are stupid?
I dunno... I feel kinda sorry for the kid... being the son of Jack Thompson... xP
was Jack Thompson visible with his son in the store?
It's frightening to know that this guy has spawned.
I thought the ratings were guidelines for parents so they could have a better idea of what they should buy for their kids?
That's true, Erika, there is no law about ESRB ratings, as the ESRB is not a government organization. However, it is company policy of pretty much every common retailer of video games to refuse to sell M rated games to minors.
Still, they aren't breaking a law (I noted that Whacko Jacko isn't running to the courts, he's demanding that the company fire the empployee who sold the game and the store manager for a claimed breach of company policy, which is actually a pretty okay point for Whacko Jacko: Not that I agree with what he's claiming or that I think he should have sent his son on a 'sting' operation, but the employee who sold the game actually did break Best Buy's policy. Though, firing her and the store manager instantly seems too extreme.) The nationwide conspiracy bit...not so much.
EDIT: Made my opinion on this a little more clear.
i just can't get the image of his kid attempting this in a bee suit out of my head.
What he has apparently succeeded in doing, however, is seriously upsetting the judge who must decide the merits of Thompsons attempt to block the Florida Bar from taking action against his license to practice law.
Think he'll shut up for a little while if he's disbarred?
