Army tournament features chainsaw massacre video game.
Army tournament features chainsaw massacre video game.
The Army Gaming Championships, set to begin on July 4, allows people to compete for a $200,000 prize pool. But participants must be willing to be contacted by Army recruiters, providing the military with “another avenue to reach tech-savvy recruits.” Raw Story reports on one of the disturbing games encouraged by the Army:
The official Web site for the Army Gaming Championship also encourages Gears of War players to perform a move known as the “curb stomp,” which involves characters in the game crushing an opponent’s skull with their boot. [...]
The “curb stomp” was inspired by the 1998 Edward Norton movie American History X, in which Norton plays a neo-Nazi skinhead who turns against his racist ways in prison. In the movie’s most violent scene, Norton “curb stomps” a black man who was trying to steal his car. Norton opens the man’s mouth and forces him to bite down on a curb before stomping on his neck, breaking it.
Gears of War is rated M, meaning it is inappropriate for children under age 17, and Web site Double Viking rated it the fourth-most-violent video game ever made, calling the game’s gore “as graphic as it comes.”
Louise Eaton, a media and web specialist with the Army, also noted, “That is where the kids are. It’s a venue where we can tell the Army’s story.” Video Games, especially the Pentagon-produced America’s Army, provide “an experience in the simulation world of what the Army’s like.”
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So?
TP, come on!
So our military is playing the same games our ten year olds are playing and you feel the need to call them out for it. LAME!!!
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:56 amSince when does video game aptitude equate with ‘tech-savvy’?
July 2nd, 2007 at 11:59 amholy crap…
well, i suppose a killer might get better jollies with that method
rather than a nice clean shooting…
jeez…
people let their kids watch that crap?… sad…
i remember when i had to curb my son’s HE MAN viewing time…
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 pmsooooo glad i did…
.
Video Game!!!?
They should be hunting the most stinky prey of them all: MuslimShiteaters ™
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 pmCry me a river limp wristed Islamo lovers.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:01 pmMeh… I’m as liberal as anyone here, but get over it. It’s a game. Don’t be like Jack Thompson.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:01 pmCry me a river limp wristed Islamo lovers.
Comment by Frank J — July 2, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
I call them Islamophiles.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:02 pmhey… what’s the prob…? it’s all part of the conditioning process to inure us to violence, death, and endless war… besides, it saves time and money on military basic training…
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:02 pmAnd, yes, I DO take it personally
Curb Stomps (or as I originally heard them called, Chicago Curb Jobs), have been around for a long time.
Gears of War is gory. It’s approriately rated for it’s content, and it’s also human vs. aliens / demons. A tad different than if it were all human on human violence (Manhunter is far worse). Plus, the gore is often obscurred by poor camera angles and graphic effects. I can think of many more “troubling” games than Gears of War.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:04 pmThe Army under Bush Regime has become sadistic and perverted.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:04 pmMr President, don’t you have a job? Up posting here until 5 am and now you’re back?
Job, hell, don’t you have a life?
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:06 pmDoes this mean that our Commanders-in-Chief, Dick and George, DefSec Gates, General Petraeus and on down the line approve of a black man being stomped to death? Probably.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:07 pmThis is up there with complaints about 24.
These are garden-variety violent video games. BFD. They are a dime-a-dozen in Japan and no-one cares about it there either.
If we can’t train disciplined soldiers whilst letting them blow off steam on Playstation, well sh*t, the problem’s with army training, not the video games.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:07 pmYou godda problaam wif my game?
Seriously though. The Army will do what the Army does, but do we have to drag the second best video game of last year into the fray? Gears of War has nothing to do with anything. There’s no sense in scoring some cheap points off a piece of science fiction entertainment.
I’m unhappy over the Army using Gears of War to promote recruitment, but that’s got nothing to do with Epic Games or the Xbox 360. And it most certainly has nothing to do with Edward Norton’s character in American History X. A “Curb Stomp” is not the original or exclusive domain of the neo-nazi … You’re stomping on an alien’s head in a fantasy world. No more; no less.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:09 pmWell, if this is the kind of training the Army provides, don’t be surprised when more psycho vets start showing up, like the Washington Sniper . Like… I dunno, the New Jersey Curb Stomper or something.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:10 pmsemanticantics-ever seen Manhunt(and the highly anticipated,at least by me!!) Manhunt 2. Now THOSE are some violent games….
…aaahhh, memories…
*smiles**
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:11 pmIn a related story the US is training troops with the time tested children’s games of Don’t Break the Ice and Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots too.
Winners are treated to push-ups, Nutty Buddies and those cheesy candy dots you have to suck off of a strip of waxy paper.
-GSD
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:12 pmI saw that movie where Ed Norton’s character stomped that guy, and it was horrifying — excellent movie otherwise.
I’m not thrilled with these types of games, so I don’t play them. My sons do, but they are adults.
Are the participants in this tournament minors? If not, why the fuss?
The Army must be very hard up for recruits…..
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:14 pmI read TP every day, but come the hell on. Leave the whining about video games to Lieberman and the neocons. This is ridiculous.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:14 pmSick society, sick entertainment, sick defenses of said entertainment. I do wish we would grow up.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:15 pmCry me a river limp wristed Islamo lovers.
Comment by Franko — July 2, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Nahh.
I’d rather curb stomp you.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 pmThe real story here is they wouldn’t have to resort to such stupid tactics if Bush and the republicans were just man enough to start the draft.
Which is what you do when you start a war with your mouth that your army can’t finish.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 pmI’m a liberal guy who is also a videogame player. And my feelings towards videogames is exactly the same as with movies. Ratings systems are not the law people. They are a voluntary system meant to educate people to the content of a movie and/or game.
I personally find it extremely offensive when I hear parents talking about how they would rather their kids watch crap because it is rated “appropriate” but won’t let their kids watch a movie they may learn from because it is rated “R”. I would rather a kid watch Saving Private Ryan than most of the supposedly “age appropriate” crap which teaches kids to be nothing more than good consumers.
The same is true for games. The rating system is a tool, not a law. Rated M does not mean it IS absolutely inappropriate for kids to play. That decision should be up to the kids parents to decide. ANd if these kisd’ parents pulled their kids because of the games, that is a totally different matter. But the fact is that Gears of War is considered one of the better games available today for an extremely popular console. TO say that the people holding the contest are at fault for letting kids play games that aren’t appropriate is a distortion. It’s a game. Let the parent’s decide what is or isn’t appropriate for their kids. And if parent’s have no problems with their kids playing gears, and parents know the content (thanks to the rating on the box), then who gives a damn?
Frankly, I’m getting sick of people on both sides playing censor and picking on idustries who are doing everything they can to give US the tools to make an informed decision. These ratings are an educational tool people….they are not a law and not even a suggestion. Not any more than movies or TV ratings are. Let’s all stop acting like they are.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 pmWow… I wanna play this game now, it sounds awesome! But honestly, can it beat how awesome Halo Wars looks?
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 pmCurb Stompers For Jesus!
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 pmAnd by the way, these video games are sick. Its one thing to play Wolfenstein, or shooter games like Quake, and Call of Duty,but these games where white guys stomp black people, and rape women and beat other humans with ball bats and stuff are a sign of the times, and a sick generation of ultra violent numbskulls.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:23 pmAnonymous-yes. yes it does.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:24 pmwow, are we on a political or gaming blog?… sweeeet.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:25 pmi was curb-stomped once. i didn’t like it very much – really turned me against the whole thing.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 pmLibs, calm down. Graphic Designers, within the military, create military games for future wargaming.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 pmComment by Rosencrantz — July 2, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
Well said.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:28 pmVideo Games, especially the Pentagon-produced America’s Army, provide “an experience in the simulation world of what the Army’s like.â€
I’ve never had a video game shoot at me, explode an IED device in my presence, or set up a field of landmines in my livingroom…
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:28 pmFrom a liberal who’s a gamer, “Who cares?” It’s a game, boys and girls, move on now, more important news awaits.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:29 pmJob, hell, don’t you have a life?
Comment by gummitch — July 2, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
(He’s the 24 year old virgin for a reason :)
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:32 pmGraphic Designers, within the military, create military games for future wargaming.
Comment by Daryll — July 2, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Wrong thread Daryll… No homosexuality here.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:33 pmDaryll > join the military or go have sex with your male pastor.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:34 pmI can’t say that I’m too in a twist with this, but I do find it laughable that this is the type of recruiting effort that must be undertaken these days. Imagine how much more willing people would be to enlist if they knew that they were protecting their country or fighting for a just cause rather than indiscriminately attacking various brown peoples, settling a personal score (”He tried to kill my Dad”) and attempting to secure a dwindling resource. And don’t gimme that “It’s not about oil” crap; Bush has already admitted as such.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:40 pmI’ve never had a video game shoot at me, explode an IED device in my presence, or set up a field of landmines in my livingroom…
Comment by unbelievable
Well, consider yourself lucky! Believe me…being downrange and dodging IED’s is no cake-walk, but when you find out that Mario and Luigi are the ones building them, it’s a real blow to morale.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:41 pmI really am not worried about games where baseball-bat level violence is simulated. The difference between curb-stomping by pressing a combination of buttons and actually throwing a punch (or receiving one) is sufficiently vast that reality quickly intrudes. (Just like the difference between playing a racer and sitting in a couple of thousand pounds of metal that actually throws you around when you try something makes mr confident that they don’t encourage maniacal driving.)
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pmIt’s the old fashioned flight-sim shooters that spook me just a little, when the difference between the game and the action is smaller.
The point I take from this post is not videogames=bad, but that the Army is getting pretty desperate for recruits.
Any gamer-like enthusiasm for cracking skulls would get erased about 6 hours into basic training.
Awwww, such anti-military compassion by TP.
It’s a cool, violent video game. Most male recruits are going to be ok with it.
I shudder to read the “progressive” definition of our military. Perhaps we’d have to ditch our most recent uniforms for bunny suits.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pmBARTLEBEE
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:45 pmDo those nice men in the white coats know that you are loose again babbling like an idiot ?
So, after these gory games prepare them for war, do the kids realize that in real life you only die once?
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:46 pmDaryll > join the military or go have sex with your male pastor.
Comment by Jay Randal — July 2, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
I help our government by creating and testing web-based programs using Sun programs.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pmJay Randal
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pmwhat do you think that you know about the Adult world ? You are a Liberal who knows nothing of the word liberal so how are you to know how to define big words like sadistic and perverted ?
but it would of course only be unacceptable if someone found some titties in it
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pmDaryll > join the military or go have sex with your male pastor.
Comment by Jay Randal — July 2, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Words of Wit from someone who could not debate himself out of a paper sack . thats why he uses big words like TROLL HAAAAAAAAAA
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pmSorry but you People do not fit the Definition
Liberalism refers to a broad array of related ideas and theories of government which advocate individual liberty. [1] Liberalism has its roots in the Western Age of Enlightenment.
Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity. A liberal society is characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy, free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. [2] In the 21st century, this usually means liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law. [3]
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:54 pmFDR,
“Words of Wit from someone who could not debate himself out of a paper sack.”
Interesting statement considering you rarely acutally have a point. You come on here and do nothing but call us ‘liberals’ as if that term is a bad word.
Do you have something to add to the debate, or do you simply want to run people down that you disagree with?
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:56 pmIt’s a cool, violent video game. Most male recruits are going to be ok with it.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:57 pmComment by CT_V1, Dean of Trolls
My son is a Marine Recruiter and says he tells the real story as he saw it in Iraq. He said video games are great, but being a Marine “is not a game, dad”.
I own the game, it’s a lot of fun, and I’m pretty f’ing liberal.
Take issue with the “inspired by” American History X reference; without doing any research, I have a feeling that such a violent act existed before that movie (as did shooting people, throwing grenades at people, etc.)
Pointless post, in my opinion, if its focus is really this violent videogame (as opposed to the lame Army recruiting attempts; no doubt if you show up, you also get good tips on how to beat drug testing).
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:57 pmFDR,
“Sorry but you People do not fit the Definition”
And your definition notwithstanding, you may have to tell us why ‘liberals’ don’t fit that definition.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:58 pmAnd Now Boys and Girls its time for your Daily History Lesson
Did you Children that when the World Trade Center was Bombed in 1993 that The Great Liberal President Bill Clinton did not even bother himself with going there ? He was too busy interviewing interns .
1993
Feb. 26, New York City: bomb exploded in basement garage of World Trade Center, killing 6 and injuring at least 1,040 others. In 1995, militant Islamist Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and 9 others were convicted of conspiracy charges, and in 1998, Ramzi Yousef, believed to have been the mastermind, was convicted of the bombing. Al-Qaeda involvement is suspected.
1993
Feb. 26, New York City: bomb exploded in basement garage of World Trade Center, killing 6 and injuring at least 1,040 others. In 1995, militant Islamist Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and 9 others were convicted of conspiracy charges, and in 1998, Ramzi Yousef, believed to have been the mastermind, was convicted of the bombing. Al-Qaeda involvement is suspected.
1995
April 19, Oklahoma City: car bomb exploded outside federal office building, collapsing wall and floors. 168 people were killed, including 19 children and 1 person who died in rescue effort. Over 220 buildings sustained damage. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols later convicted in the antigovernment plot to avenge the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Tex., exactly 2 years earlier. (See Miscellaneous Disasters.)
Nov. 13, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: car bomb exploded at U.S. military headquarters, killing 5 U.S. military servicemen.
1996
June 25, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia: truck bomb exploded outside Khobar Towers military complex, killing 19 American servicemen and injuring hundreds of others. 13 Saudis and a Lebanese, all alleged members of Islamic militant group Hezbollah, were indicted on charges relating to the attack in June 2001.
1998
Aug. 7, Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: truck bombs exploded almost simultaneously near 2 U.S. embassies, killing 224 (213 in Kenya and 11 in Tanzania) and injuring about 4,500. 4 men connected with al-Qaeda 2 of whom had received training at al-Qaeda camps inside Afghanistan, were convicted of the killings in May 2001 and later sentenced to life in prison. A federal grand jury had indicted 22 men in connection with the attacks, including Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, who remained at large.
2000
Oct. 12, Aden, Yemen: U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole heavily damaged when a small boat loaded with explosives blew up alongside it. 17 sailors killed. Linked to Osama bin Laden, or members of al-Qaeda terrorist network.e
1996
June 25, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia: truck bomb exploded outside Khobar Towers military complex, killing 19 American servicemen and injuring hundreds of others. 13 Saudis and a Lebanese, all alleged members of Islamic militant group Hezbollah, were indicted on charges relating to the attack in June 2001.
1998
Aug. 7, Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: truck bombs exploded almost simultaneously near 2 U.S. embassies, killing 224 (213 in Kenya and 11 in Tanzania) and injuring about 4,500. 4 men connected with al-Qaeda 2 of whom had received training at al-Qaeda camps inside Afghanistan, were convicted of the killings in May 2001 and later sentenced to life in prison. A federal grand jury had indicted 22 men in connection with the attacks, including Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, who remained at large.
2000
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:58 pmOct. 12, Aden, Yemen: U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole heavily damaged when a small boat loaded with explosives blew up alongside it. 17 sailors killed. Linked to Osama bin Laden, or members of al-Qaeda terrorist network.
FDR, didn’t you run this lesson the other day?
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:01 pmSeriously, TP. A lot of what is posted on this site is solid debunking of the right’s BS. However, it’s posts like this one that make me think that you are paid by the post. What’s next? A scathing post that soldiers are planning to see “Transformers”? Stick to the real issues.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:02 pmWell, consider yourself lucky! Believe me…being downrange and dodging IED’s is no cake-walk, but when you find out that Mario and Luigi are the ones building them, it’s a real blow to morale.
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 2, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
That’s gotta sting. Heh.
That’s a cute young man, Sarge.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:04 pmThanks Zooey, =)
He’s awesome!
The other night my post was a bit of a hit-and-run. I did go back and read the replies and was kinda flattered. =)
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:09 pmI think you’re missing the point. It’s not about the game but the avenue that the Army is using to get possible recruit names. Play the game, maybe win $200k, and give us your personal information so we can recruit you.
That’s not the evil of a game or the point of the post. It’s what’s behind it that is the issue.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:10 pmComment by leftcoast
You’re right, this couldn’t consider it an effective training tool. But I don’t think TP should be taking issue with it. In my view, this can only be viewed as an excessive push of a nanny state.
Troops are doing these kinds of things for leisure, I assume.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:12 pmMsJoanne no its about keeping the military at levels high enough to keep this country and you safe you silly Liberal woman
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm# 57 – Play the game, maybe win $200k,—- Don’t mean to split hairs, but the $200K is for the entire tournament, not this game alone.
and give us your personal information so we can recruit you. — lol, is that how you think it works? “give us your info, and you’re done for!” You make it sound similar to giving away your SSN and bank info and having your identity stolen.
It’s not as sinister as that. Nobody gets recruited against their will. they aren’t beaten unconscious and conscripted into the Military. Not anymore, anyway. And perhaps in the future…but not currently.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:17 pmMsJoanne
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:18 pmShould you not be picking Flowers to stick down the Barrels of Terrorist AK47’s ?
Sgt, I am not saying they are done for, but it’s a manner of getting recruit information, allowing them to possibly think that the Army is going to be fun and games.
I’m sorry if you don’t see the issue. I do.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:20 pmIf those computer games give a real impression of military life, they must be the most boring games out.
I somehow doubt that when you get killed in combat you get to load a previous save.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:20 pmFDR:
Why on Earth would President Clinton go to an incident site where only 6 people died? And what would he have done?
Comfort the victims? Within 6 hours of the incident everybody had been cleared from the site. Look at a bunch of crime scene tape?
The Republicans would be screaming ‘Photo-op!” (And they’d be right.)
What Liberal President Clinton DID do is get the terrorists FOUND, get them ARRESTED, get them CONVICTED, and get them IMPRISONED.
All without repealing the Bill of Rights.
Unlike George W. Bush, who started two wars, created special torture prisons, removed our right to privacy, stomped on treaties and shot our international reputation–
–and the man who did it remains free as a bird, laughing at us.
Face it: the Republicans are the Party of Katrina. They bellow and thump their chests–screw up the actual mission–and then run around whining that it’s everybody else’s fault.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:22 pmMs Joanne,
but it’s a manner of getting recruit information,—- Yes, it is that. And it’s probably more fun for the recruiters than hanging out at the malls. lol
allowing them to possibly think that the Army is going to be fun and games.—- possibly…. nice out. I doubt seriously anyone who is old enough to join thinks what we do looks like ‘fun and games’.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:23 pmTroops are doing these kinds of things for leisure, I assume.
Comment by CT_V1, Dean of Trolls
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:24 pmDean,
Let’s not assume anything about what form leisure for our troops takes.
But I do not need to assume the devestating impact violence or the viewing of it has on any people. Watch it, do it and be a part of it enough, and you become that which you abhore in others.
Liberals
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:24 pmCelebrating 67 years of Investing in Americas Defeat around the World !!!!
pbg
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:26 pmHave you ever considered a career in Stand up Comedy ? I mean man you are FUNNY!!!!
Well, Sgt, I disagree. You are talking about kids just out of high school. Is there ever a thought of mortality? And many will fall prey to the “fight for your country” which is highly admirable IF we were fighting for our country, which we are not. We are fighting so that teh neocon government can control the world’s oil. And anyone that thinks otherwise has no ability to think.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:26 pmpbg answer to #64 , to show that he gave a shit , which he did not then came the next 6 attacks that he did’nt give a shit about either , oh wait he did send in the FBI after they murdered everybody at waco
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm#65 It’s not as sinister as that. Nobody gets recruited against their will. they aren’t beaten unconscious and conscripted into the Military. Not anymore, anyway. And perhaps in the future…but not currently.
Comment by SGT Higgins
At 17, 18 or 19 they ARE impressionable. You strawman the argument when you say “aren’t beaten unconscious and conscripted into the Military”. Sarge, lets give our kids a chance to make up their minds by showing them what war really is. Lets run the videos of the ER work in Iraq. My son is a recruiter and they talk about it in real terms.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:32 pmMsJoanneyou may not realize it but those kids in the Military are Trained Killers , they join of their own free will , But Democrat Congressman Charlie Rangel wants to do something about that Volunteer problem , He wants to bring back the DRAFT , I applaud his effort .
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:33 pmYou must all see this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ4SyZkJC5M
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:35 pmI’m with jd: if I were looking for “tech-savvy” people, one of the last places I’d look is among hard-core gamers–and I’m a geek myself. Gamers tend to be very narrow in the scope of their tech knowledge: one platform (windows); video-centric skill in terms of configuring their software-hardware interface; and a cursory or absent knowledge of code and programming languages. They generally lack any administrative skills, and never reveal any versatility or flexibility in terms of adapting to different platforms and languages.
The violence issue is something that can be debated, though I tend to agree that cyber-violence practiced wantonly and obsessively, as often happens with compulsive gamers, will carry over into real life; and I think the preponderance of research out there supports this. But speaking purely in terms of geek skills and especially managerial or administrative potential (i.e., officers), gamers would be nowhere near the top of my list if I were looking for candidates.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:36 pmleftcoast . I have a second cousin that turned 16 on Pork chop Hill in Korea . he told me that they crammed dead north korean bodies under the tires of trucks that were stuck in the mud . I think that 18, 19 , and 20 yr. olds know what war is .
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:37 pmI applaud bringing back the draft, too. Then all the neocons will go nuts when THEIR kids have to go. This illegal and immoral occupation will end in a matter of days.
BRING THE DRAFT BACK NOW!
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:37 pmMsJoanneyou may not realize it but those kids in the Military are Trained Killers , they join of their own free will FDR
FDR- you said kids and so did a lot of others here. Kids, not men. When was the last time you trained a kid? Its simple, show, repeat, show again, repeat and then have them do it and do it. Why are so many young kids dying? Because so many young kids don’t really know about death yet.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:39 pmLook, I am a gamer myself. I have played the GTA series (Helpfully filed under educational in our local games store) and I generally tend towards stuff which while not particularly violent, is still mostly based around killing things.
Personally, I would like to see some skin sometimes (Particularly in Neverwinter Nights 2. I mean, come on, this is a game where you get accused of massacring an entire village, and you cant even take your gloves off.
I am in favour of games which are less censored, where you can have more ugly characters and maybe a bit more complexity in how the world works.
I do not read this topic as being anti-violent games or even being about the games per se. I read this more as being that recruiters are trying to sell service in the Army as being like these games.
And that, is a bad thing.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:39 pm# 71 – leftcoast – Sarge, lets give our kids a chance to make up their minds by showing them what war really is.
there’s MUCH more to being in the Army than war. Recruiters SHOULD be up front and honest about a person’s possibility of deploying to a war zone when they sign up. Some are, some aren’t. But besides war, there’s comraderie and esprit de corps. There are friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s not all rosy, or fun and games. But it’s not as bad as you want to make it out to be.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:40 pmI think that 18, 19 , and 20 yr. olds know what war is .
Comment by FDR
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:40 pmSure they knew after they got there.
MsJoanne
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:41 pmYou are a Silly Girl are you trying to tell me that only the chillldrenn of liberals freely and willingly join the Military ? If so you are far stupider than I at first thought .
MsJoanne
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:42 pmNow go pick some flowers and drop some more acid
But besides war, there’s comraderie and esprit de corps. There are friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s not all rosy, or fun and games. But it’s not as bad as you want to make it out to be.
Comment by SGT Higgins
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:43 pmI know, I was there in the late 60’s and before we left Viet Nam in the Air Force.
Ms J — fall prey to the “fight for your country†—– fall prey? layin’ it on a little thick, methinks.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:43 pmSgt, tell that to the kids (and not kids) who are currently in Iraq…if they are lucky enough to come home.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:43 pmMsJoanne and just what the hell is a Neocon , is that like someone who voted for John Kennedy ? he sure sounded like a Neocon .
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:44 pmMsJoanne
You are a Silly Girl are you trying to tell me that only the chillldrenn of liberals freely and willingly join the Military ? If so you are far stupider than I at first thought .
Comment by FDR
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:44 pmWhat the hell do kids know of being a child of a liberal or conversative?
Nancy Pelosi sure is doing a good job of pushing her Liberal agenda forward : )
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:46 pmHey Leftcoast , would you care to rephrasr this so it make some sense please ?
What the hell do kids know of being a child of a liberal or conversative?
Comment by leftcoast — July 2, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:47 pmThanks Zooey, =)
He’s awesome!
The other night my post was a bit of a hit-and-run. I did go back and read the replies and was kinda flattered. =)
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 2, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Good, I was hoping you saw my reply to you. We parents of children with various disabilities need to stick together, even if for nothing more than support.
Of course, I will call you on your bullshit, and I totally expect you will call me on mine. :)
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:47 pm#84…what’s the matter, don’t like a little reality check thrown in?
People on this thread talk about gamers, gaming, all that $hit, when this is all about taking advantage of CHILDREN.
I may be laying it on thick, but you’re wearing rose colored blinders, as are those who continue to espouse patriotism, islamists, etc, etc, ad naseum. This is about The New American Century and our idiotic government trying to take over the world’s oil. The scapegoats they provide continue to change because this isn’t about terrorism, as much as people like to throw that out there.
IF the GOP had any concerns about safety, they’d be passing acts such as the Rail Safety Act (which the GOP voted down) and other things that actually did something to keep America safe.
This is about oil and nothing else and they won’t pull out any punches to get kids to enlist in this occupation and usurpation of Iraq’s resources.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:48 pmFDR
A neocon will claim that liberals do not serve in the military, while having never served himself.
A neocon will accuse others of being anti-American for highlighting things going wrong in America, rather then actually doing something about something that is harming America, be it a highly expensive war, or an extremely poor healthcare service.
You sir, are neocon.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:49 pmOk . . . I am a loyal TP reader, and love the work you guys do. However, this post comes with an unnecessary amount of sensationalism. This game pits humans versus a fictitious alien race. The article makes it sound like a hate crime training simulator. I’m as liberal as they come, but this game is fun for mature adults, and there is no reason to try and demonize Gears of War because the Army uses it for a gaming contest.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:50 pmMsJoanne 18yr olds are not chillldreeen as Maxine Waters call them
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:51 pmYou know, I think this is going nowhere.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:51 pmMe thinks we should consider war not a very good thing and that we should try to avoid it. Unfortunatley, there are some who think war is the panacea of their tiny dicks. And then there are times war is necessary. But if necessary, please be honest to those who must make the decision to go forward. And of course we know in the realm of our action in Iraq that honesty was not there.
Now, if you recruit for warriors with the best marketing tools available it speaks loudly to the manner in which you proposed war, doesn’t it?
Bruce Gorton hey dipshit , I served did you libracon ?
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:52 pmoops I mean Libraconjob
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:52 pmleftcoast The Coward Speaks Loudly .
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:54 pmleftcoast The Coward Speaks Loudly .
Comment by FDR
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 pmsorry fdr, but I was a volunteer in the Air Force during Viet Nam.
Of course, I will call you on your bullshit, and I totally expect you will call me on mine. :)
Comment by Zooey
It’s a deal! *handshake*
We parents of children with various disabilities need to stick together, even if for nothing more than support. — I agree. Unfortunately, being relocated to be near WReed has been a bit of a good thing/bad thing. His medical care is outstanding…his OT/PT through DC is non-existent. I actually WANT to move somewhere that I’ll be deployed from, just because the area where we’d move (anywhere other than DC) would be great for him.
I wish you the best with your son. I get to interact with about 5 other children on Sundays who have various disabilities, two with autism.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 pmBeing a Peace at any cost Liberal leftcoast thinks that they should .
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:57 pmMsJoanne 18yr olds are not chillldreeen as Maxine Waters call them
Comment by FDR
yeah? Try marrying one, and THEN tell us they’re not maybe just an eensy-weensy bit childish. LOL
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:57 pmI don’t really care about video games but I do think that the Army is so desperate for recruits that they’ll blur the line between “real” and “fiction” as much as possible. This statment makes absolutely no sense unless the game shot back at you sitting on your couch…”the Pentagon-produced America’s Army, provide “an experience in the simulation world of what the Army’s like.†Really, realy Army is sitting on your ass eating Burger King and working a remote control. I never seen anyone in intensive care of splattered all over the ground because of a little old video game. I hope kids aren’t that stupid. Do whatever you have to to stay out of Bush’s Armey of Oil kiddo’s.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:59 pmIs anyone else super curious about the life of trolls? At this point, I completely believe that the tools that post on liberal sites over and over and over again saying stupid things like “pick flowers and drop some acid, librul” must be unemployed shut-ins.
Sitting home, alone, dorito-stained sweatpants, no higher education, accessing the internet on mom’s AOL account. Is this really how they live? I don’t see how any other explanation is possible. No one with a job and a brain would waste their own time trolling websites of political enemies.
Shut-in or crazy? Or both? What’s your vote for the life status of these pathetic people?
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:59 pmFDR
Doesn’t matter one way or the other if I said yea or nay.
I can tell that you never served though, simply through your belief that the children of liberals don’t join the army.
The army attracts a wide range of people, with a wide range of ideas on how the world should be – and that includes liberals and the children of liberals. Had you served you would have met some, but you didn’t serve and you see fit to try and project this onto a whole movement you oppose.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:00 pmI wish you the best with your son. I get to interact with about 5 other children on Sundays who have various disabilities, two with autism.
Comment by SGT Higgins
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 pmSarge,
I wish you all the best as apparently I should be doing with Zooey.
Blessings.
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 2, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
I wouldn’t wish such an evil fate on Osama Bin Laden. What did those poor children do to you that you would wish them married to that idiot?
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:03 pm# 108 – Leave me the f*ck out of your bizarre fantasy world, FDR, I haven’t said one thing to you.
Comment by Zooey
See? By that reasoning…I can only assume that I get to include you in MY bizarre fantasy world? With your permission, of course. LOL
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:04 pmComment by Bruce Gorton — July 2, 2007 @ 2:03 pm — I’m not following you. I was making a light hearted comment after having married an 18 yr. old 9 years ago…..don’t tell HER though. lol
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:06 pmComment by leftcoast — July 2, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Thanks! Blessings always welcome.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 pmZooey, he’s projecting HIS bizarre, sick fantasy of what a woman should be.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 pmI wish you the best with your son. I get to interact with about 5 other children on Sundays who have various disabilities, two with autism.
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 2, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Do you anticipate being deployed to Iraq? It’s strange that you can’t get the OT/PT in an area like DC. Maybe just not through the military?
My son is all grown up, and just got his own apartment over in Portland. I’m so proud because it looked like independent living would not be possible for a while, but he did it, and hopefully he will continue to succeed.
They do grow up and leave us, even when they needed us so much when they were little. :)
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 pmSGT Higgins
Well, telling FDR to try marrying an 18 year old is just point blank cruel to 18 year olds. I don’t know what your wife did to you to make you so bitter about a particular age group but that was just sick! ;)
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:11 pmNot good. You want people to actually reintegrate with society when they return from Iraq, not feel that violence is an acceptable method for resolving conflict in their hometown.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:14 pmMaybe just not through the military? — No, he’ll be getting it soon through the military. The DC programs are just broken. If we lived in No. Va. or Md, there’d be no problem.
My son is all grown up, and just got his own apartment over in Portland. and hopefully he will continue to succeed. — Wow! That’s awesome (do cool people still say ‘awesome’?)
They do grow up and leave us, even when they needed us so much when they were little. :) — Our son will be 2 1/2 tomorrow, but developmentally approx. 6 months old and he’ll likely be dependent on us always. He has intercranial calcifications (indicative of tissue (brain) damage) as well as all the other things mentioned on his page. He laughs all the time, he really is my hero. He’s never walked or spoken, and doesn’t crawl but kind of ‘rolls’ around a room to get where he wants to go.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:36 pmHe was why my post the other night was hit-and-run, I went to spend some time with him bc he was being so friggin’ cute I couldn’t stand it.
No, he’ll be getting it soon through the military. The DC programs are just broken. If we lived in No. Va. or Md, there’d be no problem.
I see. Good he’ll be getting what he needs soon.
Wow! That’s awesome (do cool people still say ‘awesome’?)
I say “awesome” all the time, and I’m totally cool. :)
….He was why my post the other night was hit-and-run, I went to spend some time with him bc he was being so friggin’ cute I couldn’t stand it.
Comment by SGT Higgins — July 2, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
That’s some pretty rough stuff, Sarge. It must help that he’s such a happy boy, and so well loved. All things that will come, will come in good time. :)
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:48 pmThat’s some pretty rough stuff, Sarge. — I know it SOUNDS rough…but he’s really a joy. His seizures have been well controlled for about a year now…THAT was rough, he was having almost 50 a day. The med’s he was on weren’t all that great.
He’s probably been the best thing to happen to our family. Bad mood? Bad day? he’s the cure. lol
It must help that he’s such a happy boy, and so well loved. — That definitely makes it easier.
All things that will come, will come in good time. :) — I agree! Originally we weren’t going to stay in the Army….Mrs. didn’t much care for the idea of being married every other year. Go figure…women! (jk). We decided to stay in for a full 20 yrs. due to the free medical for my son. Deployment for my MOS (88M) truck driver isn’t an if, it’s a when. I’ve just been given a temp. reprieve due to my son’s needs. But I anticipate relocating soon and being deployed, we’re just trying to ‘work the system’ so that when it happens, my family will be somewhere that I won’t have to worry about them while I’m away.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:08 pmSounds like you have things well in hand, Sarge. Just looking at the smile on your little guy’s face shows what a great spirit he has. :)
I grew up in a Navy family, so I know what it means to have someone gone. My mom used to chain smoke while my dad was gone, and it was a challenge having a part-time dad — though my parents are still married.
You obviously have a very different attitude about family, so you’ve nipped a large problem in the bud.
Make sure you let us know when you go, ok?
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:23 pmYou obviously have a very different attitude about family, so you’ve nipped a large problem in the bud. — Well, having our son really caused us to re-prioritize what’s important. We were typical rat-racers at one point. Having a special one (and I imagine you know this) tends to make one really slow down and appreciate little things. Let’s face it, most people take for granted that their children will crawl, walk, run. We were ecstatic when he rolled over! That was a big deal! (He was almost 15 months at the time)
Make sure you let us know when you go, ok? — Oh sure thing! Probably not too soon, but likely within a year.
July 2nd, 2007 at 3:42 pmLet’s face it, most people take for granted that their children will crawl, walk, run. We were ecstatic when he rolled over! That was a big deal! (He was almost 15 months at the time)
Yeah, I learned not to sweat the small stuff most of the time, and it’s amazing how much small stuff there is.
The thing that always royally pissed me off was parents not appreciating, or taking for granted, their “normal” children. My attitude was — You’ve got six perfectly healthy children with no cognitive or developmental issues in the whole bunch, and you’re devastated little Jilly didn’t make cheerleader? Or that little Johnny has a mole on his neck? Wow, f*ck off!
I have the patience of Job, but not with that shit. :D
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:11 pmI am a progressive and I love Gears of War. I am also of age and know it is a fantasy. It is a game.
I would put more pressure on the army as it attempts to get more young people to participate in the Iraq occupation.
By the by, the whole “America love or leave it”, or you support Islamo-Fascists (which is a stupid considering they are off-setting ideologies), or somehow you are less of a man/woman for not supporting the war (not the troops mind you, the war); it is really just over. Stop using it. You are tired, your life is tired, game over.
You have lost and you are only going to make life in this country as bad as you have already made it. Have a nice day, God bless everyone! GOW rules!!!!
July 2nd, 2007 at 4:26 pmWow. It never occurred to me that soldiers might have to become comfortable with killing somebody.
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:08 pmGet over yourself.
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:07 amVideo games and the Army both deal with violence.
It’s not like they are promoting “Virtual Abu Ghirab” or something.
Count me as another progressive/liberal who loves Gears of War and thinks people can tell the difference between video games and actual violence. (I also spent some time in ROTC, but the military and I were not a good match.)
July 6th, 2007 at 9:48 pm