There's a phrase I've always liked, kind of a counter to that one teachers use "there are no stupid questions" (well of course there are, Today Tonight uses them all the time). But the phrase I like is "Better to remain silent and have people think you are an idiot, than open your mouth and remove all doubt".

Michael Atkinson wrote a letter recently to Kotaku and has now officially removed all doubt.

Oh my goodness gracious me.

Long story is Atkinson wrote a letter to the Adelaide Advertiser spitting chips about "R18+ nerds" who think he should be removed from power for opposing the introduction of an R18+ rating for games. He also takes a bit of time to tell the real story, that he is a champion among the AG's and most of the other Attorney Generals are behind him in his stance. It's a terrible, inflamatory letter, he somehow ties Japanese games in which you can rape a mother and daughter (regardless of the fact said game wouldn't be approved for sale in Australia even if an R18+ were introduced) to the plight of the refugees living in his electorate.

In steps one Terry O'Shanassy, grandfather of eight and avid gamer. He picks apart Atkinson's arguement like Muhammad Ali in the ring. It's worth reading both letters right here.

So in rebuttal Atkinson ignores Terry all together and sends a letter to Kotaku. Read this corker here. Atkinson basically says he's had enough of the abuse and harrassment and mentions that he has everything ever written about him stored away (expect wide spread arrests of gamers in Australia over the coming months, I know I'll be going away for a long time). Then he offers a challenge to his detractors, is it for a debate? A televised back and forth? An actual answer to numerous counter arguements that demolish his floppy reasoning? Nope.

Atkinson would like someone to try and topple him from power in an election for his seat for Croydon. That's right, he wants someone to tackle him on his turf, playing his game. It's a spineless cowardly move that once again compeletly dodges and ignores the issue at hand. Then again he is a lawyer.

So what does this all mean for us? It means don't expect an R18+ rating any time soon, not by a long shot. For future reference don't bother sending your letters or lists of signatures to Michael Atkinson any more, the man is tapped, Jack Thompson level tapped.

(Also please come visit me in jail when I go in for writing this)