Bono Under Attack for Mercenaries 2: World in Flames

[fitbabits]

TheUnknownSoldier sent me this (http://www.vensolidarity.org/pdf/Bono%20Faith%20Sign-On%20English.pdf) and I just about fell out of my chair while reading it...

Our concern is that this game will only deepen an already antagonistic relationship between the U.S. and Venezuelan governments. Millions of Venezuelans fear an invasion from the U.S.; knowing that a company that works for the U.S. military has created a game in which their country is completely destroyed will increase those concerns.

To promote the campaign, we are approaching one of the principal investors in Pandemic Studios, Bono, lead singer for U2 and one of Time's 2005 People of the Year, to ask him to use his considerable influence to stop the sale of the game. Bono is one of six members of Elevation Partners which has invested $300 million in Pandemic Studios. We hope that his history of involvement in justice issues such as debt and famine relief will sensitize him to the problems with this game.

[Rogue_hunter]

w.t.f.

and since when does Pandemic work for the U.S. government?
and the only reason Venezuela could expect a U.S. invasion is because Chavez is quickly turning into a dictator like Castro and Hussein. (or the oil reserves, depends on your view)

still, this is ludicrous

[IrishWhiskey]

Ah Bono, is there nothing you can't do.

...Hey Venezuelans. You're not special. Everybody fears an invasion from the US at any time. Get over it.

[Dr.Finger]

Yeah, this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5016514.stm) is old (http://www.spin.com/features/news/2006/07/060710_bono/). Hugo got pissed and Bono basicaly told him to go scratch.

[Stooby]

Ah Bono, is there nothing you can't do.

...Hey Venezuelans. You're not special. Everybody fears an invasion from the US at any time. Get over it.
Haha, hilarious.

We should invade the UK. We can do it as if we were playing a Starcraft unlocked teams game. We can move a ton of ships and tanks into the UK and be like, "Hey guys! We are going to come fortify your defenses!" Then when their guard is down turn off Ally and watch our army decimate their city.

[Itchyeyes]

Honestly, who are the people who issue these notices every time a game comes out. There was one from North Korea when the first Mercs came out and one from Mexico when GRAW 2 hit shelves. It's like you can't make a game with any real life villain without pissing off whatever nationality they are. I don't generally notice things like this with movies or books or really any other type of media (well I guess there was that thing with Iran and 300). Why does it happen with games?

[Telefrog]

Now, I really do want to invade Venezuela.

[rinichanraar]

Hilarious.

[Kweli]

Playing GRAW didnt make me hate mexicans more.... I honestly didnt even think twice about it......

Some people need to get real jobs... who pays these peoples salary?

[Kamalot]

Why not just set the game in the land of make-believe and be done with it? I can understand a lot of people being sensitive about having their home portrayed in an unfavorable light.

The airport in Die Hard 2 was supposed to be Dulles International, but Dulles said 'Hell No!'. Instead, it is 'generic airport outside of Washington DC'. Did it make a huge difference?

No.

If this game was set in 'generic country' it wouldn't change the gameplay at all.

[sprankton]

You know, I have to give the neo-nazis credit. They are used as bad guys all the time and they dont bitch.

[TArmstrong]

Pfft. I wasn't going to buy this game, but now I am.

[Psykoboy2]

GRAW didn't make me hate mexicans...but R6:Vegas sure as hell did. That whole beginning before you even get to Vegas just made me piss anger.

[Atepsflame]

I think Venezual is just pissed off that it couldn't make a game this much fun. I personally can't wait for Mercs 2. Gonna grab it up as soon as I get a console that can run it. The first one was pure military fun.

[cp#]

Bono sucks balls.

[Psykoboy2]

Bono sucks balls.

Got any reason for that?

[Heretic Machine]

GRAW didn't make me hate mexicans...but R6:Vegas sure as hell did. That whole beginning before you even get to Vegas just made me piss anger.

I'm with you, weakest point of the whole damn game.

[Kamalot]

...made me piss anger.
This is quite the mental image...

Oww.

[Dag-Sabot]

w.t.f.

and since when does Pandemic work for the U.S. government?
Answer: Full Spectrum Warrior (the army version)
as for the Bono stuff, i think they'll succeed. I can't say I disagree with them either. Stuff like this is right up his alley.

[kid cabelgo]

Playing GRAW didnt make me hate mexicans more.... I honestly didnt even think twice about it......

Some people need to get real jobs... who pays these peoples salary?

Didn't make you hate mexicans more?

As in, more than you do already?

;)

[total]

I'll play devil's advocate.

So if China made a game with Bush portrayed as "evil," and they invaded the US we'd all be cool with it right?

/DA OFF

I am so excited for this game. I loved the first one, and I'm watching my bud go through it (for like his 3rd time) again. Hurry up and release this so I can be even more pissed I don't have my 360.

[Tinderbox]

I'll play devil's advocate.

So if China made a game with Bush portrayed as "evil," and they invaded the US we'd all be cool with it right?

/DA OFF



Oh please make this game, Bush IS evil, portraying him that way is about as hard as finding hash in amsterdam.

[Dag-Sabot]

... I smell another Ape escape game.

[kid cabelgo]

I'll play devil's advocate.

So if China made a game with Bush portrayed as "evil," and they invaded the US we'd all be cool with it right?

/DA OFF

I am so excited for this game. I loved the first one, and I'm watching my bud go through it (for like his 3rd time) again. Hurry up and release this so I can be even more pissed I don't have my 360.

I think a more direct comparison would be a game where the US has been taken over by a maniacal madman, set on world domination with his incompetent cronies....

oh wait...

[Kamalot]

So if China made a game with Bush portrayed as "evil," and they invaded the US we'd all be cool with it right?
You bring up a good point. What if there were a Mercenaries-like game centered on Washington DC (or any other major city) made in the middle-east and marketed to the middle-east? Don't you think there'd be people in the USA that would totally flip about being able to jack a helicopter and fly it into the White House / Pentagon?

It does not matter if YOU think these people are being irrational, but if the tables were turned, you can bet the USA would be flipping out.

Now, in order to solve the problem, just give the country a fake name. Done! No problem! Does anyone really care that Metropolis or Gotham aren't real cities?

[Johan]

GRAW didn't make me hate mexicans...but R6:Vegas sure as hell did. That whole beginning before you even get to Vegas just made me piss anger.

This made me laugh! :D

And this whole issue is a non-issue. Good grief, Charlie Brown!

[Evil_SPanKY]

You bring up a good point. What if there were a Mercenaries-like game centered on Washington DC (or any other major city) made in the middle-east and marketed to the middle-east? Don't you think there'd be people in the USA that would totally flip about being able to jack a helicopter and fly it into the White House / Pentagon?

Didn't Iran or some middle-eastern country make a game a few years ago about this type of scenario? I swear I remember hearing about it, but cant find anything on it now. Must be all the hash from Amsterdam that I found on the street ;)

[camberiu]

Didn't Iran or some middle-eastern country make a game a few years ago about this type of scenario? I swear I remember hearing about it, but cant find anything on it now. Must be all the hash from Amsterdam that I found on the street ;)


Yeah, and it generated some controversy. I remember some comentators at Fox News being FURIOUS about it.

Here is the story (http://news.com.com/Iranian+video+game+targets+U.S.+tanker/2100-1043_3-6121612.html)

[Morratut]

I find this hilarious. The people that wrote that letter are stupid. Very stupid. :rolleyes:

I feel so angry now that i've played so many violent computer games.

[copasetic]

Got any reason for that?
Bono is a fraud and an opportunist.
http://www.edthesock.com/News/article/sid=87.html

[Lint of Death]

So if China made a game with Bush portrayed as "evil," and they invaded the US we'd all be cool with it right?

To be honest, when I first saw a trailer related to GRAW's plot, I thought it was about a splinter faction of the U.S. Army starting a coup in D.C*. I can't say I remember why I thought that, but I thought the premise sounded awesome. I never played the game (no 360), but I was still terribly disappointed in the "turn" the game actually took.

*EDIT: With the player resisting the coup, of course.

[Evil_SPanKY]

Yeah, and it generated some controversy. I remember some comentators at Fox News being FURIOUS about it.

Here is the story (http://news.com.com/Iranian+video+game+targets+U.S.+tanker/2100-1043_3-6121612.html)

Thanks. Didn't phase me either way honestly. I mean, the western world does it in its games, so isn't it fair that others can do it as well as they see? We may not agree with its direction or depiction of its setting, but it is a fantasy world in the end.

Like what Kam said above, just use virtual countries for your games, creates a lot less tension overall IMO.

I mean, can't we all just get along?

[Dag-Sabot]

I think North Korea was choked about one the ghost recon games for the x-box classic.

[Mongboy]

I want a game where I can take down Bono with a Venezuelan invasion task force.

Maybe even a Robo Bono...

[DevilUknow]

Some people need to get real jobs... who pays these peoples salary?

Nationalized oil profits.

[Abash Alarmist]

I want a game where I can take down Bono with a Venezuelan invasion task force.

Maybe even a Robo Bono...
Dibs on Mecha-Streissand.

[Johan]

Bono is a fraud and an opportunist.
http://www.edthesock.com/News/article/sid=87.html

Anyone's life can be reinterpreted according to the events surrounding their actions. That doesn't make the actions any less charitable or helpful.

I hear that while she was living, Mother Theresa actually did LITTLE to NOTHING to help the poor and starving of Africa as well. It seems she was too busy helping the poor, starving lepers of India at the time.

Evil woman. :rolleyes:

[moron]

Thing is, the US does have a long history of both messing with Venezuela and their South American neighbours - everything from Assassination attempts against Chavez to supporting right wing coups.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States-Venezuela_relations
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8664.htm
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article2979.htm

Nearby we have stuff like the US government's support of the Contras (huge fans of attacking "soft targets", i.e. farmers, churches, schools), support of dictators (Pinochet anyone?), etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Pinochet

What do you think the whole School of Americas is all about?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_the_Americas

So considering the State's current adventure in Iraq and the bad guys in "Americas Army", I can understand why it might be seen as threatening having potential military involvement in a game that targets Venezuela as the enemy (mmmm, oil).

Hearts and minds and all that.

Only matters though if the game is actually decent.

=)

IMHO of course

Cheers

[Philonious]

Actually you guys may have forgotten but the mayor of Las Vegas complained about R6: Vegas for many of the same reasons... Didn't want his city to be portrayed in a negative light. Italian Americans get up in arms about the portrayal of Italians as mobsters. Islamic groups over the portrayal of Islamics as terrorists in 24 (which is actually quite good at mixing up race and level of evil) and everywhere else. People get offended all the time, but you can't really blame them... Do you think the Nazis realized that they were evil? Do you think Bush/Chavez or anyone else does?

[karak]

Bono and U2 still owe me 12.99 for that giant fucking lemon of a CD they released with all the techno tracks on it. What was that called...oh ya shit.
Don't cancel mercenaries. Cancel Bono.

[Mighty Jesus]

Got any reason for that?

His band is rubbish and he's a twat?

[copasetic]

Anyone's life can be reinterpreted according to the events surrounding their actions. That doesn't make the actions any less charitable or helpful.

I hear that while she was living, Mother Theresa actually did LITTLE to NOTHING to help the poor and starving of Africa as well. It seems she was too busy helping the poor, starving lepers of India at the time.

Evil woman. :rolleyes:
Let's pretend that Mother Theresa wrote books on religious matters. Don't you think that it would have been a bit deceitful for here to have only helped out the impoverished around the times of her book releases? And what's more, she only helped during her rise to fame and during her fall from it.

Sure, the actions are charitable no matter the motive behind them, but you must take that into account when praising someone. He's helping people, but whose benefit is he really looking out for?

Not to mention his music is tripe.

[Johan]

Sure, the actions are charitable no matter the motive behind them, but you must take that into account when praising someone. He's helping people, but whose benefit is he really looking out for?

I hear what you're saying. I guess I just don't care what the motivation is, since I'm not omniscient and can't read his mind/heart. I'm a pragmatist; what's the outcome? What did a person actually DO? Why is not as important to me as what. That's just me. :)

[Gilius Thunderhead]

Got any reason for that?

It's obvious in his voice: The first step to his sucking balls was sucking his all the way off, causing the notable falsetto he has yet been unable to drop. Michael Jackson displays similar symptoms, except he didn't suck his own balls off - he paid a kid's mom to make the kid do it for him.

[Psykoboy2]

Well, upfront, I'm a fan of the guy as well as the band. So I'll defend him on his charity work. But music is a matter of opinion, so you are free to rant there.

Show me a musician who does more for those causes mentioned, or even any other cause for that matter?

Personally, I think he uses his celebrity to make people aware of these issues. If I am flipping through the television and someone is talking to me about aid in Africa, I most likely won't pay any attention and pass right by. But if I flip through and see Bono, I'll stop and see what he's talking about - be it album or aid. The point of it though is he got me to listen.

He also promotes these issues at the concerts (something he really had to sway the other band members into letting him do). But why at a concert? He's already got our money from the tickets and whatever the hell else we buy there - which portions of certain items go to charity - why continue to promote those causes? For me, I feel he personally believes in them. You should listen to him speak some time...

The whole thing about what he's actually given to the causes he supports doesn't really work. He's trying to get governments to give the money, not people. In fact, the concert I went to in Atlanta, he said he didn't want our money, he just wanted our voice. He wanted the higher ups in this world to know that the people wanted the change. And sure, let him spend the rest of his money to support the cause, but then what? He isn't wealthy enough to fix it. Not like the governments are.

And how's this for promotion? The band has only played on Letterman once in their 25 year career. Twice on Saturday Night Live, and about the same amount at the Grammy awards. No tour of theirs has EVER been sponsored or paid for by anyone but the band themselves. Ever heard any of their music promoting a new car, soft drink, or any other type of consumer product that didn't have to do with music to begin with?

Look, if you want to call it opportunism, fine, but I've seen people pick worse ways to do it.

[Johan]

<all of what you said>

Well said, well said. I agree. :)

[Psykoboy2]

Bono and U2 still owe me 12.99 for that giant fucking lemon of a CD they released with all the techno tracks on it. What was that called...oh ya shit.
Don't cancel mercenaries. Cancel Bono.

You're talking about their album "POP", which is only interesting for the fact that during the tour for that album, they had a giant lemon they used during their encore.

[Schnoogs]

Ah Bono, is there nothing you can't do.

...Hey Venezuelans. You're not special. Everybody fears an invasion from the US at any time. Get over it.

Is there any thread safe from whiskeys left wing stupidity? :confused:

[Johan]

Is there any thread safe from whiskeys left wing stupidity? :confused:

At least it's consistent with left-wing self-loathing! :D

[KingGorilla]

Are we missing the big issue here? How fucking cool is it that Bono invested in Pandemic studios?

[Psykoboy2]

Are we missing the big issue here? How fucking cool is it that Bono invested in Pandemic studios?

The band also held stock in Edios during the late 90s if I remember right, as well as owning part of the whole Q-Zar thing.

[Ultima Thulian]

Personally, I think he uses his celebrity to make people aware of these issues. If I am flipping through the television and someone is talking to me about aid in Africa, I most likely won't pay any attention and pass right by. But if I flip through and see Bono, I'll stop and see what he's talking about - be it album or aid. The point of it though is he got me to listen.


This is the only part I disagree with you here (despite the fact I feel that Bono is a pretentious cocksucker and that his entire band sucks donkey balls), and I'll tell ya.

If you need any celebrity, particulary one that has a penchant for designer shades, to motivate and/or make you aware to do something, ESPECIALLY if this something is a something that has been going on for decades and practically anyone with two brain cells to rub together already knows (AIDS in Africa?! No way, thanks for the heads up Bono!), then that means you're not paying attention.

Don't get me wrong, I won't diss Bono's charity despite my dislike for him, but I get tired of hearing people harp about celebrities are making people "aware" and such other pretentious bullshit. Then again, given our country's retarded celebrity loving stupor, perhaps you have a point afterall.

But my point stands if you need to have a celebrity to motivate you (not necessarily get you aware...but that is pretty big stretch too). I find that kind of attitude to be kinda sad really. Each his own I suppose. *shrugs

[IrishWhiskey]

Is there any thread safe from whiskeys left wing stupidity? :confused:Is there any thread safe from Schnoogs pointless sniping thats fails to contribute anything of value to the thread? Oh, and lets not forget the ever-present smileys.

Anyway, anyone from Las Vegas to Venezuela who takes this stuff seriously is stupid, and Vertigo may have sucked, but U2s 80s stuff was killer.

Incidentally, when my parents were in Ireland, they used to go to a local pub where a small upstart band played that they thought was pretty good. Apparently most of the world agreed with them, cause those fellas would go on to be U2. Also my mother's English teacher was Seamus Heaney, my dad knew Liam Neeson, and one of my childhood friends was actually royalty and didn't know it. Who says the Irish don't have celebrities?

[Hale]

Meh.

It's kind of hard to take serious the complaints of a guy that dressed up in a satin red shirt and called my president 'Satan' at the UN.

[Evil_SPanKY]

His band is rubbish and he's a twat?

QFT!!!

If you need any celebrity, particulary one that has a penchant for designer shades, to motivate and/or make you aware to do something, ESPECIALLY if this something is a something that has been going on for decades and practically anyone with two brain cells to rub together already knows (AIDS in Africa?! No way, thanks for the heads up Bono!), then that means you're not paying attention.

Again, QFT, and your now the twat as well for needing a celebrityto motivate you into caring about a cause.

[Johan]

...my mother's English teacher was Seamus Heaney...

Terrific poet. I love his stuff.

[roboninja]

When are people going to get it through their goddamn heads that these are games, not real life?? Reminds me of the stupid attacks on 300 for racism. These things are entertainment, people. You know, maybe it is the nutcases that cannot leave this type of idea alone that are the ones that do go crazy, do something stupid, and then bame the game/movie/music. Just a thought.
BTW, Bono is a douche who likes to hear himself talk.

[karak]

You're talking about their album "POP", which is only interesting for the fact that during the tour for that album, they had a giant lemon they used during their encore.
Ya pretty damn horrible.

[roboninja]

Yeah, and it generated some controversy. I remember some comentators at Fox News being FURIOUS about it.

Here is the story (http://news.com.com/Iranian+video+game+targets+U.S.+tanker/2100-1043_3-6121612.html)
I hope you are not insinuating that we should take a second look at this because these people are only complaining like Fox News did. I tune out Fox news too. They have not had a valid thought since....well, never actually. That channel is about news as much as the Nazi propoganda radio was. Like how I worked the Nazis in there? ;)

[wezlypipz]

wow, video games and politics never mix.

[roboninja]

wow, video games and politics never mix.
Politics does not mix with anything well, even politicains. I like to believe it is not politics in my case; I am just rational about things, and people that do not agree are deluded...adn wrong :p

[IrishWhiskey]

If you need any celebrity, particulary one that has a penchant for designer shades, to motivate and/or make you aware to do something, ESPECIALLY if this something is a something that has been going on for decades and practically anyone with two brain cells to rub together already knows (AIDS in Africa?! No way, thanks for the heads up Bono!), then that means you're not paying attention.
... Right. Most of the world isn't paying attention to any of this stuff. And even if they've heard of it, they don't understand the issue and don't care until faced with a human side to it. I thought that was clear to everyone. Way more people care about Rwanda after seeing Don Cheadle than seeing CNN. Films like Blood Diamond due way more to stop conflict diamonds that an army of diplomats and experts. Its just a fact. Thats why DeBeers spent millions in counter-advertising as soon as they heard the films was coming out.

There are probably a hundred million times as many people who could give you a detailed summary of the Paris Hilton/Nicole Richie feud as find Darfur on a map. Angelina Jolie saw that the entire world was obsessing on her every little move, and decided to do something. Bono said, Hey, I'm making money off Christian inspired lyrics, maybe I should do something with it other than sex and drugs.

By the way, Bono's greatest successes have actually been one-on-one. He's talked to world leaders and billionaires and convinced them to give a great deal of time and money. The man is actually known for being smart and knowing his shit. More importantly he's persuasive, as can be seen from his work with the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.