Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against America's Army Exhibit

Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against America's Army Exhibit

October 19, 2008

Green Party candidate Peter Myers, running for Congress in California's 15th District, has come out in opposition to the Pentagon's use of the America's Army: Virtual Army Experience simulator in recruiting efforts.

As GamePolitics has previously reported, Virtual Army Experience sparked protests from anti-war groups at several stops during a summer tour of county fairs and air shows.

On his campaign blog, Myers writes:

This report from CNN shows you what some of your hundreds of billions of dollars of tax dollars pay for when they go to the Pentagon. The military's recruitment process for future wars is slick and neatly packaged, and you and I pay for it every day.

My opponents won't take the initiative to rein in this type of wasteful spending that creates an American culture more militant than ever before. Only I have chosen to stand up against these disturbing military recruitment practices; a vote for anyone else is a vote for more disappointment.

In late August, following protests, the Army agreed to restrict participants to those 17 and older. However, the CNN report referenced by Myers clearly shows a 13-year-old boy in line for the exhibit and having his personal data being collected (see pic). It's unknown when the CNN footage was shot.

The more familiar America's Army PC and console games have been criticized by some peace groups for allegedly violating U.N. protocols barring military recruitment of children.

The Green Party's Myers is running against incumbent Mike Honda (D). Myers candidacy is a long shot.

Comments

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

Training for generation kill? I played America's Army and many other, much more violent games. I don't think I am effected in any way. I can't even hold a real gun because I am not a murderer ready to shoot someone in the head.

More awareness could be very helpful. The army doesn't only goto Iraq, they also save people within their own country, but not too many people think of the army that way.

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

Would you look at that! Another politician that believes freedom of speech and expression doesn't apply to the armed forces.

I wonder if he would attack Green Peace for using a video game as a recruiting tactic? You know he wouldn't.

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

America? Militant? Hehe, most of the "militant" folks in this country are to fat to get outta their arm chairs.

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

Well the dude is a Green Party candidate, I doubt he is going anywhere.

 

 

 DarthCadeous501- Pink Halo 3 Ninja, Mongoose Suicidee, and Current Iron Man Hater

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

Only I have chosen to stand up against these disturbing military recruitment practices; a vote for anyone else is a vote for more disappointment. This is no were near as disturbing as a kid with a bomb strapped too his chest and killing both himself his fellow country men and american troops. Hes waitsting his time i agree with Kaylel on this 1.

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

Shouldn't this putz be chaining himself to a tree or something?

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

Any party that would run a major wack-job like former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney as their presidential candidate cannot be taken seriously.  --Verbinator

Re: Green Party Congressional Candidate Takes Stand Against

Y'see EZK, this is why third parties have a tough time getting elected.

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Posted 11/07/09 at 10:58am
JDKJ: Which could be explained by both (a) and (b).
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:56am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: You forgot C) the fact that, for some reason, every time he did something that would suggest he shouldn't be in the military, let alone an officer, higher ups ignored it or let it slide.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:51am
JDKJ: Part of the problem is, I believe, that (a) the Army had a lot of time and money already invested in him and which they were unwilling to simply write-off and (b) an increasing need for the type of skills and services he provided.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:48am
JDKJ: And that even if he was begging not to get cut loose, he was apparently a real good candidate for being cut loose, anyway.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:11am
JDKJ: @chada: And while Kennedy once noted that there's usually more than enough blame for everyone to get a slice, the possibility that the Army was unwilling to cut loose someone who was asking to get cut loose could be a factor.
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ZippyDSMlee: *noms on his feet*..nomnomnomnom*droooll* ...wuuutttttt uuu looking at?
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:05am
JDKJ: I'm no psychologist, but I'm told that crazy people have a tendency to do crazy things.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:03am
chadachada321: Whoops, was out of the convo for awhile. I do wonder what type of ammo he used etc, but the real issue is WHY he did it, not HOW
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:56am
JDKJ: But if it turns out that they actually did, they'll have Hell to pay.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:45am
JDKJ: And I'd tend to rule out the possibilty of FN Herstal supplying restricted ammunition to someone merely because they're ordering it from a military base.
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Posted 11/07/09 at 09:36am
Austin_Lewis: Or, maybe he or someone else at the base ordered the SS190 from FN Herstal.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:32am
Austin_Lewis: the hands of private owners. They run about 300 dollars minimum for a box of 50, and boxes of AP 5.7 are extremely scarce, mainly residing in the hands of Class III stores or individuals who for one reason or another got a demo box of it.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:30am
Austin_Lewis: There are other firearms that fire the 5.7. However, I too would like to know where he got the ammo and what kind was used. Maybe Hasan, planning not to live through this, went out and bought one the boxes of SS190 that are floating around in
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:44am
JDKJ: And it isn't yet clear what type of ammunition Hasan used. It's strange that he purchased a gun but didn't purchase ammunition for it at the same place and time. Especially because the calibre required is peculiar to the actual gun.
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