Ummmm...If i get the tinfoil any tighter...
Apparently I didn't make myself clear. I believe each individual is held accountable for his actions, reardless of what video game he has played. However, listening to Jack Thompson's "evidence", if I were on the jury I would have to think twice.
IIRC-Yes, the Federal Gov't did in fact pay this company to make a video game to train soldiers. The only way the company would do it is if they could market a civilian version (GTAIII). So, while it is not the same version the Gov't used to train soldiers it has all the same graphics, etc.
Now, I agree his (Mr. Thompson's) same argument could be used to say that we the people (subjects) should not have the same weapons as the military, if in fact we shouldn't have the same video games as the military, but the evidence that is actually the most convincing has to do with how the brain of an adolescent processes the video vs. that of an adult.
(I actualy love Arcades, especially shooting games, just not the home x-Box type contraptions).
Now, again, I believe in everyone is accountable for their own actions, but that is why I do not let my kid have an X-Box, because I would be responsible for rotting his brain...ur, umm I mean keeping him on the couch when I really want him outside.
We actually own several video games, one is a TV plug in of Pacman/Galaga/Pole Position/ and two other 80's games. My kid loves it (And so do I, hummmmmmm. I did buy it for my 4 year old, right
but we limit his play time. The other is a paintball game you play on your TV) so don't misunderstand my comments about Mr.Thompson or his lawsuit. I just found his evidence to be very...interesting.