Yesterday, Take Two launched a preemptive lawsuit against Jack Thompson aimed at preventing him from pursuing claims in court later this year when both Manhunt 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV debut.

Thompson contacted Ars Technica with a response to the suit, and because we wouldn't want to be unfair, here it is in its entirety:

    Heads-Up to Video Game Industry Press Re Take-Two Lawsuit Against Jack Thompson

    Dear Gamers and Gamer Publications on the Internet and Elsewhere:

    I have been praying, literally, that Take-Two and its lawyers would do something so stupid, so arrogant, so dumb, even dumber than what they have to date done, that such a misstep would enable me to destroy Take-Two. With the filing of this SLAPP lawsuit last week, my prayers are finally answered.

    This lawsuit, filed in US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, is, without a doubt, the single dumbest thing I have ever seen any lawyers do in my thirty years of practicing law--while in continuous good standing to do so with The Florida Bar, I might add, the shock radio and video game industry's efforts notwithstanding.

    I encourage folks to read Psalm 35, a Psalm of David, which is brilliant in its entirety (since God Himself wrote it), but for those who don't own a Bible or who think their hands will catch on fire if they touch one, here is the salient portion that applies to this lawsuit:

    7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit,
    which without cause they have digged for my soul.

    8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares;
    and let his net that he hath hid catch himself:
    into that very destruction let him fall.

    9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD:
    it shall rejoice in his salvation.

    The pit Take-Two has dug for itself will be patently clear next week when I strike back. Oh, and by the way, the entire Take-Two management and board will be gone on March 23, so this pit-digging comes at a very bad time indeed.

    Amen, and Praise be to God Almighty, maker of Heaven, Earth, and yes, the maker even video games. Jack Thompson

There you have it.