College Republicans Protest Iraqi Artist's Jihad Game Mod
College Republicans Protest Iraqi Artist's Jihad Game Mod
March 4, 2008
An Iraqi video artist's "Virtual Jihadi" exhibit is stirring controversy at the Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute campus in Troy, New York.
The artist, Wafaa Bilal, a faculty member at the Art Institute of Chicago, modded an Al Qaeda propaganda video game, Night of Bush Capturing, in order to craft a message about his views on the inhumanity of the ongoing war. From the RPI website:
Bilal casts himself as a suicide-bomber in the game (left). After learning of the real-life death of his brother in the war, he is recruited by Al Qaeda to join the hunt for Bush.
This work is meant to bring attention to the vulnerability of Iraqi civilians to the travesties of the current war and racist generalizations and stereotypes as exhibited in games such as Quest for Saddam; along with vulnerability to recruitment by violent groups like Al Qaeda because of the U.S.’s failed strategy in securing Iraq.
The work also aims to shed light on groups that traffic in crass and hateful stereotypes of Arab culture with games like Quest for Saddam and other media.
But RPI's College Republicans have expressed outrage over Bilal's appearance, terming the RPI Arts Department, which is sponsoring the event, "a terrorist safehaven:"
Our tuition dollars are hard at work in the RPI arts department which is proudly hosting a video game debut that simultaneously embraces Islamic terrorism and advocates the killing of the American President...
This is something RPI should be ashamed to have its name even mentioned with, let alone be sponsoring. Hopefully, the folks in the arts department will get enough phone calls from outraged alumni and come to their senses.
The College Republicans also express concern that Bilal's appearance is part of a program funded by a New York State grant.
Via: Albany Times-Union
GP: A number of GamePolitics readers attend RPI. We'd love to have them weigh in via comments...
UPDATE: Geeks Are Sexy has a lengthy interview with Bilal, who said:
I don’t know if it crosses a moral line, because it’s still virtual, right? So, if games like “Call of Duty” or other games are fine, why should this be any different?
...I think it’s a strategy of engagement. I don’t see it as crossing the line at all - but rather calling attention to something really disturbing, this game and the Web site, and the rhetoric as well...
We’re going to see more and more of games as a tool to capitalize on political issues, and as people, and the medium, become more sophisticated, we’re going to see more and more of this.
Comments
Oh look, Bush threaten Canada into war.
Oh look, Bush has invaded our country.
Oh look, Bush attack areas with no proper reason, killing thousands of innocent people.
Oh look, Bush is after our oil.
Oh look, Bush's people are making video games about killing us and calling us terrorist.
etc.
Wow, with a rep like that, you could say that Bush is a terrorist leader. With people supporting the Iraq war, it makes them look like members of the terrorist group. But that isn't the case. Just because Bush showed us the worst of Iraq doesn't make them terrorists.
A person spoke to Americans saying "Could I tell my side of the story?" but there have people saying "No, you are our enemy, was won't listen to you. You are a terrorist". So he replies, "Then I would get my message across through a game mod". The people say "NO! you are terrorist. You are making propaganda. We shell stop you"
Jerry, I bet you could make the table turned and start debunking my points one-by-one. When I read some of you early posts, I assumed that you were just listening to the media, and I was going to start making jokes about what if everything the media say was true. But I read some quotes you made that needed some deep research.
I still don't 100% agree with you, but I now don't take you as a media sponge. Calling us all idiots just seems ignorant considering that this website believes that everyone should have the freedom of speech.
(no offence to muslims who read this blog regarding the "sand n*****, but that is definitely how neocons think)
I doubt there is anything new in this. Lets be realistic the mantra has been "Bush Lied, People Died" "No Blood for Oil" "Kucinich in '08" for the last couple years. This guy wanted to make a sensationalists game, the CR walked right into his hands. Both parties will get their 15 and the show will go on.
Yet, Bilal should be very careful. I'd be interested to know what is exactly allowed in the game. The game is named "Night of Bush 'Capturing'," but is it possible to harm Bush? I wonder this, because making a threat on the life of the President is a federal crime. If the federal government is feeling bored, they might claim the game as serious propoganda calling on players to attack the President, and charge Bilal. I realize that's not the case, but the government is always looking for an excuse to smack down protests (and video games, really).
Did you know its a lot of fun to put your head in front of a moving semi truck? What you don't believe me? well how do you know until you try it?
Some times you don't need to try things, to know what there like. You know why? because we have information on it, thats why.
I don't think Every Muslims follows it to the letter, because if they did they would all be killing people. I don't want you to think that I'm trying to be jackass. Just being strait with you, if they followed the qur'an to the letter, they would be killing people, thats all. And there are many more versus like that in the qur'an that I can show. But its your book so Ill let you look for it. Unless you ask me, if you ask me Ill show you them, save you some time. If not then I won't.
Also, I checked the numbers, and I need to clarify it. The religion its self led to 10 million killings of the Buddhists. What I mean by that is, the Muslims did it in the name of Allah, in the name of there religion. Mohammad led 27 invasions and killed one million people. Just wanted to clear that up.
E. Zachary Knight wrote:
"So Political opinion pieces cannot be art?"
Thank you for completely misinterpreting me. What I'm saying is, this wasn't a "political opinion piece," or "art." I'm asking seriously, how is it? How is it a political statement? If it was to draw awareness to the plight of innocent Iraqi families, how does it do that? Bilal modded himself into a Al Queda propoganda piece. What does that say, other than "Hey, maybe I could be a terrorist, too?"
I have opposed the Iraq war since it was proposed, and I'm no fan of Bush. He's an incompetent puppet that eagerly believed faulty intel in order to justify a war he wanted. But I don't see Bilal's actions as any form of protest or political statement. It's just too lame in its concept. Rather, I see this as a half-assed attempt to put meaning on an otherwise foolish mod, in order to save face after the fact (or to get credit in school, or whatever). Putting himself in Night of Bush Capturing is just controversial and "edgy" enough to gain kudos from war-protesters that don't think too hard, and to stir up a bunch of ineffectual College Republicans with nothing better to do with thier time.
Whatever you want to call it (political statement, opinion piece, art), it should at least make sense.
Are you really a post secondary education level student or are you really JT's illegitimate son?
I think I know the answer to that one...
That was when the king started removing more idols. Then bound the people to an oath to seek the Lord. All who did not obey the covenant where to be executed.
That covenant was only for Israel, and we are no longer under that covenant anymore. Show me where Jesus said to kill everyone. Show me where Jesus led 27 invasions. Show me where Jesus killed 1 million people.
Mohammad wrote the Qur'an and waged war! GET IT NOW?
Notice, when I brought up the qur'an, I used facts? I did not take it out of context like you did with the Bible.
As for the next verse, I wont even bother to look it up because you did not even bother to research the first one. So what would be the point? Try to get it right next time.
The people burning flags are not blowing them selves up...as far as I know. And last time I checked, the US was free, maybe not? Must have missed your point there.
I was waiting for you to say hate-mongering. After all, I'm only using facts, and I live in reality, I'm such a hate-monger.
I myself am much more interested in discussing this mod than I am in fuelling his own religious zealotry (anymore so than I am now doing by posting this).
www dot venganza dot org is the home of the Church of the Spagetti Monstor.
Feel free to look around, you may find it has as much realism as your version of a good faith, but without the hatefilled bile.
Funny how the world turns, from 'Christian' witchhunts and 'no one expects the spanish inquisition' to Bushtian Muslimhunts and 'no one expects Homeland Security.
a terrible analogy, i know, but i'm only on my 2nd cup of coffee.
As for the actual topic, its nice to see open discussions on Freedom of Speech on our chosen media. =:)
http://www.arts.rpi.edu/index.php?pageid=420
Blueteam Says:
"What point is the guy trying to make, anyways? "
The event description says:
"This work is meant to bring attention to the vulnerability of Iraqi civilians to the travesties of the current war and racist generalizations and stereotypes as exhibited in games such as Quest for Saddam; along with vulnerability to recruitment by violent groups like Al Qaeda because of the U.S.’s failed strategy in securing Iraq. The work also aims to shed light on groups that traffic in crass and hateful stereotypes of Arab culture with games like Quest for Saddam and other media."
There is a live webcast of a lecture, at 7:30 tonight, Chicago time.
http://www.arts.rpi.edu/index.php?pageid=420
Here's the artists bio:
http://www.crudeoils.us/wafaa/html/bio.html
"... was arrested and tortured for his political art work against Sadaam Hussein"
Still think this is Al Qaeda propoganda? It's derived from some, which was derived from US propaganda. It is something entirely diferent now.
Wafaa Bilal is an American citizen. An American citizen who has the right to criticize HIS OWN COUNTRY however he chooses to do so. Sorry, but your assumption that he is not a citizen and therefore should be "deported" is actually... umm... racist.
Can we please all say this together:
PLAYING A TERRORIST IN A VIDEO GAME DOES NOT MAKE YOU A TERRORIST.
On a happier note. I think it's great to see the Game Politics blog take this issue on and happy to see so much response here.
Oh, and shut up College Republicans.
This is the United States of America people. Wafaa Bilal has the right to express whatever views he has. No one has the right to suppress that.
Dissenting opinion? You bet.
However, as a rule I find politically inspired art/music a terrible bore. I'm kind of an aesthetic.
My god, does every action in a game mean that the game is promoting it? One can't just select random elements from a game and say "LOOK THEY"RE PROMOTING THIS" and completely disregard every other similar mechanic in other games. Promoting an agenda FTL.
Then again I haven't seen the game, but most likely these college republicans haven't either.
Yup, I have freedom to play COD4, Thompson has freedom to lie his arse off, and Bilal has the freedom to condemn the Iraqi war via his chosen media of gaming.
Well if we just stop this 'freedom' thing we can ban that game... woohoo.
I read a short-story many years ago that had the same themes. Boy's eldest brother is killed (turns out by accident, he was a bystander), but the local gangs end up recruiting him, and he becomes a crack sniper. One night he's taking shots at some troops, and finds himself facing off with another shooter on the rooftops. They trade shots, employing all the tricks in the book. He finally hits the other shooter, and crosses the street to check him out. He finds the body of his other brother.
Except the story was about Northern Ireland...
Um, actually, no it isn't how the neocons think. But, hey, let's talk about a story about misguided idiocy with even more misguided idiocy!
I haven't seen the "art" piece in question, so I'm not going to judge. I'll just point out how ironic it is that if the "artist" had done a piece like this about Saddam Hussein in Iraq, he'd most likely have been taken out and tortured and executed.
P.S. - There are more members at RPI that support Cthulhu than any part of the Republican party.
That all being said, I am not at all surprised the CR would say something like this. I wasn't a member of either organization, but I knew people in both the CR and CD (College Democrats). The CRs tried to make a major fuss out of any event on campus that was even mildly controversial, mostly so someone would would actually pay attention to them. It is certainly not surprising that they would jump all over this. However, as I said before, most students don't share the opinions of the CRs, so take these comments only as a reflection of a small group of individuals at RPI.
And that is why we have the First Ammendment. We have the right to criticize our government.
We also have the right to criticized other people's criticism.
I would like to see what this guy has done. It could be quite informative.
I would actually like to know what they think. But that is impossible because I can't read minds. Whatever they think is has to be something crazy and not too far off from the offensive remarks. Ann Coulter ring a bell?
@ Derek
Cthulhu for prez, '08!
its a cliche design gimmick(the clock) l atho if you think about it could be a 2ndary device just in case the primary device(hand detonator) fails.
...I really am concerned how this person got into RPI, as I purposefully went here to get away from the average moron.
that made me laugh.
but he is a HP Lovecraft fan so perhaps we can forgive his small mind.
( ...RPI that support Cthulhu than any part of the Republican party. )
Dog Welder; I agree with your observation, but doesn't that prove the point that in the US you have the freedom to have a politically sensitive opinion and the means to express it.
Jabrwock; Nice post. Its never simple, and one persons terrorist is anothers freedom fighter. (Being a Brit who lived during the IRA bombings)
The Fear campaign promoted by the US' current administration is creating a very dangerous Muslimphobia that could push fragile people to extremes. Perhaps this game can be a conduit creating a common ground to discuss the topic without irrational fear.
HOWEVER. Many college leftists are living in a dreamworld in which islam is a "religion of love". These same college lefties are the first to decry christianity as a hate group (which I happen to agree with). I just want to point out the hypocricy of these people.
DarrellBT — “(no offence to muslims who read this blog regarding the “sand n*****, but that is definitely how neocons think)”
"Um, actually, no it isn’t how the neocons think."
Um, actually it is. See, I used to be a neocon - I used to think like that all the time.
"P.S. - There are more members at RPI that support Cthulhu than any part of the Republican party."
I see you're a member of Games Club or the RSFA, or both =)
I was class of '04, EMAC/PSYC. I trust the arts department and the newly formed gaming curriculum advisors to choose something worth putting on display. The "demented honking of the politically correct" will be in the background no matter what; that will never change.
And I'll add my voice to the chorus indicating that this is NOT indicative of the average RPI student's opinions.
The war on
Well at least the hunt for bush seems mildly original.
OMG!! SADDAM HAD WMD!!! HERE IS THE PROOF!!!! and then rambling after rambling on liberals.
So in summary, thier opinion on this game is pretty meaningless. I would not call these people the future political leaders, more people you expect to see in rally crowd shots.
Funny though aren't they.
I do think it is exciting to have folks like this on RPI campus pushing our students thinking.
I really hope you notice the epic irony in your decrying the marginalization and stereotyping of one group (muslims) by marginalizing and stereotyping another (neocons)... just saying.
This is a mod for that game.
Just an FYI since some people don't know that.
I read the article, and that makes Bilal's actions all the more dangerous (to himself). He took terrorist propoganda, and "personalized it" with his own face. It doesn't take much to fuel the ire of the US Government. They could definitely claim this as a serious threat, and take action against Bilal. Hell, they detained and questioned a man in my county just for organizing a protest that involved standing in front of an Army recruitment office. I can only imagine what they might do to Bilal.
Additionally, I don't see how it can be called "art" to paste your face/name on someone else's work. That's the lazy, jackass form of art.
Finally, I'd like to clarify my previous post. I said it sounded more like Bush hating than a serious form of protest, because of the nature of the game. How much of the game actually highlights the atrocities of the war? How is the story relayed to the player? If the story of familial revenge is just told in text between levels, and the gameplay is just run-and-gun (which from a video I watched, that seems to be the case), then it isn't really protesting anything. Rather it is emphasizing the violence, not the message.
Honestly republicans, do you need someone to reinterpret the constitution for you? I know that the First Amendment his a hard one to live by, but that's why the founding fathers made it THE FIRST ONE. They were banking on the fact that their descendants weren't going to be a bunch of wimps who cried everytime an opposite viewpoint was expressed.
If anyone thinks this is art (a few do), then so is a picture of a REAL LIFE body blown a part from a suicide bomber. Please put that up on your wall, it will make for good conversation about your mental disorder.
Now if you could leave your bigotry with the doorman we can have a great conversation.
The game is about a man who's brother, who is not a soldier or terrorist, is killed by American soldiers and out of his dispar decides to seek revenge by joining Al'Queda.
I have not played the game, but am willing to give it a try.
It would be nice if everything was black and white, but there is a whole spectrum of color out there to enjoy and discuss.
If you don't like all this you can kindly go back to Pleasantville.
Sounds like a decent
Things are a little different when your FIGHTING A WAR. You see, if you want to WIN a war. You don't let the enemy spread there propaganda in your own freaking country. Did you know that a 15 year old girl put a picture of bush on myspace and then said she hopes he dies. Or something to that extent. Know what happened next? secret service came and interrogated her. Just like they should of.
After all, its there freaking job, they don't know if the person is who they said they are. They have to peruse every possible threat. But why the hell does this guy get a free ride? Because of of sick people like the ACLU that will sue the government of a hate crime if they asked him a freaking question. thats why.
But no no, the 15 year old girl is fine, question her. Just don't question people who are making mods about blowing people up and killing Bush. Because those people are artists, and they have the right to want to kill our President, But American citizens, like the 15 year old girl, the people who where born here, they can't hate the President. But the guy that was born in Iraq, and makes a mod where you kill the President, thats fine.
I'm sick of all these idiots!
Actually I'm independent. And I was not a ware there was a republican party any more. Thanks for the tip though. The truth is, your not worth my time, so ill keep this short. Not nice? sorry, thats how I feel.
"The game is about a man who’s brother, who is not a soldier or terrorist, is killed by American soldiers and out of his dispar decides to seek revenge by joining Al’Queda."
Oh, well that changes everything! I mean before it was propaganda now its...propaganda?
If you can't see through this, then you don't got a chance. Thats all.
I can see propaganda. I recognize it. Butthat does not mean I will not give it a look. I feel I am actually a better person because I try to look at the bigger picture instead of just small parts of it.
It also helps to put yourself in the shoes of other people. Do you know how it feels to have you brother killed by people who are supposed to be protecting you? I certainly don't. I hope I don't have to feel that in real life. But if someone were to convey that feeling to me in a way that actually helped me know how it feels, than I can learn from it.
I certainly don't condone terrorism nor do I condone threatening the President of the US. But I am more than willing to learn how differnet people feel about this war and the President.
Now you mentioned that 15 year old girl. I am not familiar with that story. The ACLU is all over the media and probably saw it. But I am not familiar with it.
I am glad to see that bigotry is alive in the US. I am glad to see that so many people are closed minded toward anything going on in the world that doesn't support their own biased opinions.
I bet you are completely agianst Obama because he is a Muslim that will open up our borders and let Al'Queda march in and take over the US.
I'm a palestinian muslim. Born in Kuwait.
Regarding suicide bombers. Hate to break this to you junior, but the massive amount of civilian casualties kinda hampers a person's abilities to think clearly. Especially since some of these bombers had family that got bombed by U.S. forces in the first place. I won't waste time making excuses for the others though.
If the above thought blows your mind, feel free to alert the F.B.I. to my presence here on Gamepolitics. If it helps you sleep at night.
You could also do one of those South Park catchphrases. "If you don't like it, you can GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET OUT!"
Does it make it right? No. The general problem is how the war was brought about. The events that surrounded it and HOW the war was fought changed how everyone looks at the government.
I completely disagree with the way the government has handled this war, and I feel sorry for those that feel strapping a bomb onto themselves will bring a positive effect to their lives, their country, etc. It's still wrong. They usually end up killing innocents as well. No matter how the thought is rationalized, it's still wrong. And personally, I think it's a cowardly way to go.
The mod is pointing out some very important issues. While I'm not in love with the way it's done, the point's still there. Everyone's got an opinion, and I applaud this guy for having the guts to do something like this.
I don't expect you to understand or care even, but my people's lives changed in a way that you can't possibly FATHOM. I myself was subject to dirty looks and a "terrorist" tripe after 9/11. It's not a good feeling to have. Especially when I was raised here.
The stereotyping gets pretty old too, I must say.
"After learning of the real-life death of his brother in the war, he is recruited by Al Qaeda to join the hunt for Bush. This work is meant to bring attention to the vulnerability of Iraqi civilians to the travesties of the current war and racist generalizations and stereotypes as exhibited in games such as Quest for Saddam; along with vulnerability to recruitment by violent groups like Al Qaeda because of the U.S.’s failed strategy in securing Iraq. The work also aims to shed light on groups that traffic in crass and hateful stereotypes of Arab culture with games like Quest for Saddam and other media."
That's about all I know about the game (again, assuming that it's even being portrayed faithfully in the text). So we have a setup where the protagonist is drafted to be a suicide bomber. The text doesn't mention anything about murdering a political figure, or whether the main character even goes through with any murder. The fact that the text raises the point of "vulnerability to recruitment by violent groups like Al Qaeda" suggests that the creators take a dim view of murderous acts and are interested in exploring the causes that drive people to commit them. There have been films exploring the psychology and sociopolitical factors that create people who blow themselves up to murder others; I don't see why there shouldn't be games as well.
Thank you for inspiring me to learn more about the game! I kinda want to play it now.
I think I know where the stereotyping comes from.
“War is prescribed to you: but from this ye are averse.” (Sura 2:212).
“To participate in Jihad in Allah's cause” (Al Bukhari vol. 1:25)
“Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.” (Hadith 9:45; 84.2.57.)
Am I wrong? This is what the qur'an says right? I mean Mohammed killed tons of people, I think it was 10 million Buddhists as well as others. So that might be where the stereotyping comes from. Just an idea.
Just let me make sure I got this right. In order to stop the stereotypes of all Muslims are terrorists, or something like that. The guy becomes one( in the game I mean). Just making sure I got this one right. On second thought, is he going after other stereotypes? Seriously, is he? What the heck?
I fail to see how a game about killing bush, is going to help anything. But thats just me I guess.
I think you are confusing games at the moment.
There are three games at question here:
An American created game, Quest for Saddam
An Al Qaeda created game, Night of Bush Capturing
And Bilal's Mod of Night of Bush Capturing.
The first is propaganda. The second is propaganda. The third is a political opinion piece.
So why is it okay for us to make a game about killing them, but not okay for them to make a game about killing us?
Stereo-typing is fun to watch, and it cuts both ways.
Because we're (white) AMERICANS!(Please note that that was purely sarcasm).
I'm sorry, but I can't talk to you can more. It's not worth it. Its a waste of time. So ill leave it at this. Why don't you do some research on Saddam. Then use logic, and figure it out for your self. I'm not going to spell everything out for you.
The fact that you need to point out the Quran which I presume you think EVERY SINGLE muslim follows to the letter is all the information about you that I need. Which is what I'd LIKE to say, but again, that's what we call "Stereotyping". I'll leave what I believe to be your flawed interpretation up to you.
As for your position on the Quran, you provided good lines. I appreciate that you looked for actual Quran verses, and I feel that I'll have to look up a few more myself. However, times have changed the ways we think. There are plenty of innacuracies and fables in Holy Books around the world. Coincidentally, I seriously doubt that Muhammad killed 10 million+ Buddhists. That's a pretty round number. As for the rest of the killings, while I look to the Quran, it doesn't RULE my life and likewise I can look at any actions Muhammad made in both postives and negatives.
WHEN the writings were created should be a pretty good example of how the passages affect modern times. I'm sure anyboy posting here can cite examples of verses which are flawed or simply don't apply this day in age. I for one don't follow the Quran to the letter. Also, it doesn't mean I'll sit here and pretend generalization of a few Quran verses overule all the other achievements and mindset of my people.
A few lines don't support the stereotyping of my entire people. Sorry, but that's ridiculous.
I have the feeling we're both getting off the wrong foot here, and truthfully, I don't think everything your saying is wrong. But the sterotyping comment, well....... I just don't agree.
Glad to see that you cannot argue my points.
Saddam? Seriously? Your using SADDAM as the prominent Arab example? Good GOD man. I'm not sure if I'm READY for THAT conversation.
We're seriously veering off the topic in EPIC fashion.
@ Everyone else
I missed the part where we talked about the MOD. Remember that?
The reason it's okay to play games like COD4 is because we're killing terrorists, not becoming them. Big difference...especially when we're at war. Believe it or not, terrorists are bad, we are good. That's a pretty hard concept for some people, but just bear with me.
I'm mean, come on, how could you think this isn't Al Qaeda propaganda. Of course the guy who made it is going to say he's just creating a dialouge, but how are you going to do that when 99% of the people playing it are going to be Middle Eastern kids.
Any group that abducts mentally retarded people and straps bombs around them so they can go blow themselves up isn't going to be supported by me, nor should it by any other American. Besides, the argument of the College Republicans was that the event was being sponsored by American tax dollars.
OpFor, AK-47, 3Xfrags, Sonic Boom, Martyrdom.
I scream "ALLAAAAHU ACKBAR" down the hall at everyone else on the LAN just before I overcook my third grenade. If I can do that, we can have a game like this.
My argument isn't with the PAST. My people's past has been well documented, fractured, praised, outright lied about, etc. by all sides of every confrontation. That's fine. There are quite a few things my people did in the past that is beyond objectionable. BUT, that's the PAST. If you you dictated what in fact happened in the past, many countries would be on trial here. Including the good ol' U.S. of A.
I don't deny that there are alot of stories about Muhammad. So many in fact that I honestly couldn't tell you which are right and which are wrong. There are so many fabricated stories and half-truths that I couldn't tell you with all the "proof" available on the net whether everything is the truth or a lie. But quite frankly, even if it all is, that doesn't change a thing. The past is as they say, the past.
My problem is that people apply knowledge of things they may or may not neccessarily be true to a situation today. Also, I won't comment about extremists in my religion that believe killing will solve today's problems. I've made my points on that clear already.
The mod explores WHY Bilal casts himself as a suicide bomber, and all the relevant issues involved. He has the freedom to do so. It also points out the double standard in the war. There's nothing wrong with that.
ITS NOT THE PAST! THERE STILL DOING IT NOW! DON'T YOU GET IT!
I'm done here, thats it, your all nuts.
@Sidewinder54
"I’m mean, come on, how could you think this isn’t Al Qaeda propaganda"
Because liberalism is a mental disorder.
"And Bilal’s Mod of Night of Bush Capturing [...] is a political opinion piece."
See, this is where I have trouble with this whole thing. Is the mod really a "political opinion piece," or "art"? If it is, what is Bilal saying, and how is he saying it? What is the game's context, how does it convey its message?
Or is it just some angry college student sticking their face on a controversial piece of software and saying, "I'm making a statement." (because saying it makes it true, right?)
The original Night of Bush Capturing is a run-and-gun where you (a terrorist) kill American troops for 6 levels on the way to attack Bush. Now Bilal inserted himself into the game in the form of a mod. So how is this shining light on the atrocities of the Iraqi war? No offense, but this has about as much thought behind it as I would expect from a middle-school kid asked to make a political statement.
I'm just saying this. If "Night of Bush Capturing" is a piece of terrorist propoganda, "personalizing it" doesn't really change that. If Bilal thought it did, then he really didn't put a lot of thought into it.
Earlier you said you didn't think all muslims followed the Quran to the letter. NOW you say.....
"ITS NOT THE PAST! THERE STILL DOING IT NOW! DON’T YOU GET IT!"
"There"? So.... you were able to be pretty specific before, who are "they"? If it's the extremists, then I'd be inclined to agree. However, you sound rather paranoid now. Honestly, I don't think I do get it. You kinda changed your facts constantly until we stopped being on topic.
In any case, I believe my viewpoint stands. I seriously doubt this is propaganda.
Granted he hasn't admitted he does yet, but one of my quotes seems to fit him quite well:
There's no worship like Bush worship; its a special kind of stupid.
Ok, first you stereotype, and NOW you're making personal insults about other's intelligence!
THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!! D:
"I don’t think Every Muslims follows it to the letter, because if they did they would all be killing people. I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to be jackass. Just being strait with you, if they followed the qur’an to the letter, they would be killing people, thats all. "
I hate to tell you Jerry, but same goes for christians. 2 Chronicles 15:13 for example. There are numerous passages in the bible for its followers to kill others. I guess Deuteronomy 13:13-19 justifies the Iraq war doesn't it?
"Because liberalism is a mental disorder. "
Sometimes, I think the same thing of neocnservatism...oops 'independants.' Sir, you are as independant as Fox News is 'fair' or 'balanced.' I'll bet you only call yourself that because republicans have a bad rap these days.
Living in Toronto, I meet more muslims EVERY DAY than you've probably met your ENTIRE LIFE. They are nice people. I don't want people to think that one of my best friends (a Halo gamer, BTW) is a terrorist simply because of his faith - and there are thousdans more just like him.
Oh, and the last time we were terrorist-bombed?
Never.
@Rukon Zappa
First of all, I'm quoting Michael savage. Second of all, I can't stand bush. Although I have a feeling we both have very,very, different reasons for this.
@KayleL
You can have freedom of speech, I did not say you could not. But that does not mean your not an idiot. Idiots can say things to you know.
And I am so confused by you, really I am. I can't find your point. This is the 3rd time I writing this, because you seem to be saying two different things. What you wrote, makes it sound like I think Bush and and people who support the war are terrorists, or something like that. Then you make up a conversation between the mod guy and everyone else. Then I get more confused because you tell me I can debunk your points. Which means that you already agree you are wrong. So I just don't know what the heck your saying.
I don't think Bush is a terrorist, or the people that support the war, if that was what you where saying.
@Saladin
You need Jesus man. He died on the cross for you, for your sins. I know you don't believe, but I just wanted to tell you that. The qur'an is not a book of peace. Its a book of war, thats why we are in this mess to day. and if anyone bashes the Bible or God, I will correct you and make you look very, very, stupid. Fair warning.
About the Bush thing. It was an example that you could make anyone look like a terrorist if you give people a narrow point of view. You could used pure truth but still misrepresented. What we call terrorist could be the freedom fighters of their country. It's not all black and white.
So Political opinion pieces cannot be art?
What I am getting at is that you nor Jerry has played this game nor have you seen it in action. So how can you claim that it is terrorist propaganda?
Of course I have not played it nor seen it in action, so I don't know either. But that does not me I can't give it a shadow of a doubt.
@ Jerry
That is because you are bigoted idiot and don't know when to quit.
I get what your saying now,but I don't agree (surprise!)
The guy who made this mod, is full of crap. His reason for this is to bring attention to something that has tons of attention. Just bec