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Utah Senate President Looks To Sue Jack Thompson For Continual Spam

from the with-friends-like-these... dept

Wed, Apr 15th 2009 1:06pm — Mike Masnick

Disbarred lawyer Jack Thompson, made famous for never missing an opportunity to blame violent video games for any sort of violent activity (despite a near total lack of evidence to support this), has focused his post-lawyer life on trying to get states to pass anti-violent video game laws. Of course, this has been a tough slog. Utah appeared to be his only hope, but even that state eventually vetoed the bill, noting that it didn't make much sense. Thompson, who is known as a prolific emailer, has apparently been emailing Utah politicians quite a bit since this decision came down, and now the President of the Utah Senate (who supported the Thompson's bill) is threatening to go after Thompson using CAN SPAM anti-spam laws, telling Thompson:

I asked you before to remove me from your mailing list. I supported your bill but because of the harassment will not again. If I am not removed I will turn you over to the AG for legal action.

Can't wait to see Thompson claim that this is all part of the conspiracy of video game fans against him. Clearly, the video gamers have somehow brainwashed the President of the Utah Senate...

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Filed Under: jack thompson, spam, utah

13 Comments

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Tgeigs, 15 Apr 2009 @ 1:14pm

No
"Clearly, the video gamers have somehow brainwashed the President of the Utah Senate"

No, if you had bothered reading the truly terrible Doom novels, you would know it was the Cyberdemons that were responsible for that...
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Kevin, 15 Apr 2009 @ 1:15pm

Public official?
If you're a public official, aren't you required to hear what people have to say? Can you legally tell someone who has an issue that they want the government to consider that they're not allowed to bring it to your attention? Most sane people certainly wouldn't spam, harrass, and harrangue the legislators that they are seeking assistance from, but Thompson doesn't necessarily fit that MO.
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Lucretious, 15 Apr 2009 @ 1:18pm

I was going to email this in but I wasn't sure if it was a Techdirt thing.

Poor Jack, much like Joseph Smith he finds himself wandering the promised land of Utah, the butt of many jokes.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Apr 2009 @ 1:50pm

Re: Public official?
Yes, provided the individual in question is a member of your constituency. Thus, the members of the Utah legislature are expected to listen to the views of residents of Utah.

Jack Thompson, as far as I know, lives in Florida. The Utah senate doesn't have to give a crap about anything he says.
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B, 15 Apr 2009 @ 1:52pm

Re: Public official?
"If you're a public official, aren't you required to hear what people have to say?"

You're new, aren't you?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Apr 2009 @ 2:02pm

Maybe Jack should have sent more money in to his campaign? He would listen then.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Apr 2009 @ 2:53pm

why don't they just add his email address to their blocklist/spam filter? Don't give the guy any more attention!
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Anonymous12, 15 Apr 2009 @ 4:18pm

"If you're a public official, aren't you required to hear what people have to say?"

Jack? Is that you? It's going to be "OK" now.
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net625, 15 Apr 2009 @ 10:39pm

huh...
Maybe Ole' Jack should try Germany. And I think Utah did listen to him, even though he is not a resident they still looked at his bill and took the time to veto it, so yea they listened then he was an idiot and bothered them too much.
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Andrew Fitzgerald, 16 Apr 2009 @ 2:44am

Re: Public official?
I don't know about any public servant requirements, but from the 2nd article linked I don't really see how this would fall under the act...

"e-mail whose primary advertisement purpose is advertising or promoting a commercial product or service,"

Political lobbying doesn't seem like it would fall into those categories
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JustMe, 16 Apr 2009 @ 6:16am

Re: Anonymous12
A) But this is a state issue. Last I knew Mr. Thompson isn't a resident of Utah.

B) Also, no, they aren't 'required' to hear what people have to say. You can't send offensive or threatening letters to a public official, even if they may fall under your right of free speech. You want to talk to an official you attend public forums or make an appointment. Carpet bombing their mailbox is an abuse.

C) Yeah, I think Anonymous12 is Jack, too.

IMHO, IANAL, I am also not a public servant.
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PHOENIXZERO, 16 Apr 2009 @ 12:46pm

Re: Public official?
Jack Thompson is not, nor has he ever lived in the state of Utah. Second, this is typical Jack Thompson and it's similar to one of the many things he was found guilty of in his disbarment trial. I'm not sure how familiar you are with him but trust me, there's no level low enough that he won't stoop.
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PHOENIXZERO, 16 Apr 2009 @ 12:48pm

Re: Re: Public official?
You've clearly never received any Jack Thompson e-mails then. ;) But his still sending e-mails after being told to stop would classify as harassment.
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