President Bush made a controversial appointment earlier today that will probably fly under the radar for most political junkies. Jack Thompson, the noted video game anti-violence advocate from Florida, could replace current ESRB head Patricia Vance as early as October if congressional hearings approving the president's nomination go smoothly.

"I stand by Jacky," Bush told reporters at a press conference where the appointment was announced. "He's been doin' a heck of a job, and I think that all the good work he's done for video games and the kids who play those durn things makes him a true patriotic American. If the lesson of September the 11th has taught us anything, it's to never let our guard down, and Jack has never let his guard down dealing with video games. We need to let the man continue doing what he's already been doing because of his sense of duty and honor, only in an official role."

Gamers who follow politics are taking issue with Bush's characterization of Jack Thompson, a man who is known as public enemy number one in most video gaming circles. Thompson first rose to notoriety in the gaming community in 2003 when he attempted to sue Take-Two Interactive, publishers of the Grand Theft Auto series, for the alleged role their game played in a homicide committed by two teenage brothers who claimed they were inspired by the game.

Since then Thompson has embarked on a one-man crusade to singlehandedly remove all violence, pornography, questionable content, and anything else that would make a video game fun, all in the name of protecting the children who play these Mature and Adult Only titles. Titles that would only be available to adults if parents would do their job. Thompson has continued his crusade despite the fact that most of the children he's crusading for think he's an ass.

Conservatives are expected to provide heavy opposition to the appointment when it reaches congress. Republicans up for re-election in 2008 have already been attempting to distance themselves from the sinking ship that is the Bush administration, and pundits agree that any Republican who supports President Bush appointing a crazy lawyer who hates video games as the head of the video game rating board will be seriously risking their seat in congress come election time.

Democrats are objecting on the grounds that the appointment was the president's idea, and the only coherent policy they've been able to come up with in the past year is to oppose anything the president does. Gamers have already called for democrats to attempt to impeach Thompson if his appointment does go through, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already gone on record stating that impeachment will not be on the table no matter how badly Thompson screws things up in his leadership role.

There is also a question as to whether or not the president actually has the authority to appoint someone to head the ESRB. The organization was approved by congress in 1994, but since then has operated independent of government interference. The president's attempt to appoint Thompson is especially odd considering it would be the first time a president attempted to interfere with the ESRB.

Joe Lieberman, one of the senators who led hearings in the early 90s that led to the creation of the ESRB, has flatly stated that the president doesn't have the authority to make this appointment. The Bush administration, however, claims executive privilege and plans to go ahead with the appointment. Current ESRB president Patricia Vance has threatened to take legal action if she is replaced.

Gaming action groups are forming all over the Internet to combat this appointment. Interested gamers are encouraged to send a mail to their local congressman stating emphatically that a vote for Thompson means a vote lost at the polls next November

Gamers who follow politics are taking issue with Bush's characterization of Jack Thompson, a man who is known as public enemy number one in most video gaming circles. Thompson first rose to notoriety in the gaming community in 2003 when he attempted to sue Take-Two Interactive, publishers of the Grand Theft Auto series, for the alleged role their game played in a homicide committed by two teenage brothers who claimed they were inspired by the game.Since then Thompson has embarked on a one-man crusade to singlehandedly remove all violence, nudity, questionable content, and anything else that would make a video game fun, all in the name of protecting the children who play these Mature and Adult Only titles. Titles that would only be available to adults if parents would do their job. Thompson has continued his crusade despite the fact that most of the children he's crusading for think he's an ass.

Conservatives are expected to provide heavy opposition to the appointment when it reaches congress. Republicans up for re-election in 2008 have already been attempting to distance themselves from the sinking ship that is the Bush administration, and pundits agree that any Republican who supports President Bush appointing a crazy lawyer who hates video games as the head of the video game rating board will be seriously risking their seat in congress come election time.

Democrats are objecting on the grounds that the appointment was the president's idea, and the only coherent policy they've been able to come up with in the past year is to oppose anything the president does. Gamers have already called for democrats to attempt to impeach Thompson if his appointment does go through, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has already gone on record stating that impeachment will not be on the table no matter how badly Thompson screws things up in his leadership role.

There is also a question as to whether or not the president actually has the authority to appoint someone to head the ESRB. The organization was approved by congress in 1994, but since then has operated independent of government interference. The president's attempt to appoint Thompson is especially odd considering it would be the first time a president attempted to interfere with the ESRB.

Joe Lieberman, one of the senators who led hearings in the early 90s that led to the creation of the ESRB, has flatly stated that the president doesn't have the authority to make this appointment. The Bush administration, however, claims executive privilege and plans to go ahead with the appointment. Current ESRB president Patricia Vance has threatened to take legal action if she is replaced.

Gaming action groups are forming all over the Internet to combat this appointment. Interested gamers are encouraged to send a mail to their local congressman stating emphatically that a vote for Thompson means a vote lost at the polls next November.

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