belfasttelegraph.co.uk — The Irish rock star Bono has been unwittingly caught up in a row over a computer game that features a fictionalised invasion of Venezuela to counter a “power-hungry tyrant” who has seized control of the country and its oil.
Jul 6, 2006 View in Crawl 4
jbusJul 7, 2006
Nothing to worry about people, I'm sure this is just military contracted pre-training for the kids that will eventually enlist to help invade Venezuela in a few years... err months.
Closed AccountJul 7, 2006
They should make a video game where we shoot, rape, stab little americans boys and girls. Haha, they would be fun and it's just a game!
spyrochaeteJul 7, 2006
“It sends a message to Americans, ‘You have a danger next door, here in Latin America, and action must be taken’This game really should be banned. It is poison for the mind of our vulnerable parents. American parents are very suggestable and take the mass media very seriously. They could grow up to become warmongering politicians who fear minorities at home and abroad.I highly recommend writing the ESRB to recommend this title be rated CO - Children Only. Only a gamer with the intelligence of a child can see that video games are purely fantasy. If you insist on exposing your parents to such content, be sure to play the game with them and explain that the people portrayed on the television, much like cartoons, are not real people.
raindog469Jul 7, 2006
Just like the last time this game came up, I see no lack of consistency on Bono's part, nor do I see how he's been "drawn into" this other than by activists looking for a promotional angle, and the press invoking his name to make it a story.Bono's pet cause is Africa. Period. End of story. Venezuela is not in Africa and therefore not Bono's problem. I donate money to the EFF, various AIDS charities and other liberal causes, but wouldn't have any trouble owning stock in a company who made a game that made fun of something other liberal people like, such as PETA. (Imagine a game where you have to liberate animals from PETA's shelters before PETA puts them to sleep, for example - an arguably more realistic scenario than this Venezuela game depicts since PETA really does kill thousands of animals every year.)If Bono actually divests himself of this company and puts out an apologetic statement, he's no longer a philanthropist, he's just a politician.
spurtleJul 7, 2006
"OK, it's a video game. Why the f**k can't other governments notice that?"Because that's what kids are into these days and don't want these peaceniks brainwashing them.
Closed AccountJul 8, 2006
STFU BONO!!!!!! NO MORE TALKING FOR YOU!!!!
redtideJul 9, 2006
Bono is a gentlemen