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Public Campaign To Stop “Mercenaries 2: World in Flames”: Update |
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Written by Venezuela Solidarity Network, Washington, DC
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Tuesday, 18 July 2006 |
On July 5th, the Venezuela Solidarity Network (VSN) launched a public campaign to stop the distribution of the video game “Mercenaries 2: World in Flames”, the game that depicts the virtual invasion of Venezuela, the overthrow of the government, the destruction of major Venezuelan cities and rural areas, and the takeover of the oil industry.
First of all, thanks for the support from all who have spoken out about this so-called “game” and why it should be stopped. The public campaign was launched after there was no response from the game producer (Pandemic Studios) or from Bono of U2 and his investment company, Elevation Partners, the company that has invested $300 million in Pandemic Studios.
On July 5th, the VSN sent out a press release. We also sent a fact sheet and the original letter to Bono (English & Spanish) to a variety of internet sites.
The response was impressive. Within 24 hours, the story had circled the world.
The first media outlet to cover the story was The Independent (United Kingdom)
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article1162836.ece
The original story is now archived at The Independent but it is available at The New Zealand Herald:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/story.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10390001
Here is a short list of web-based stories about this issue:
Irish Anti-War Movement
http://irishantiwar.org/news/item.tcl?news_item_id=102482
“No Bono No”
http://gaelicstarover.blogspot.com/2006/07/no-bono-no.html
Star Pulse
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/07/10/bono_slammed_for_supporting_mercenary_vi
Break for News
"Bono Promotes Mercenary Invasion of Venezuela"
http://www.breakfornews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379
The story also took off among those in the gaming community:
“Bono Looks Sanctimonious Cock as Game Investment Row Flares” (Spong.Com)
http://news.spong.com/article/10364?cb=900
As you can see, some gamers know about what is happening in Venezuela and they know that such a game is an assault on the good work that is being done in Venezuela.
Over the last week, stories have run in a wide range of media. A sampling of headlines: “Far-Lefties See Red Over Bono” (New York Post), “Is Bono a Vapid Poseur?” (The Nation), “Bono Gets Strife From Far Left for Video Game” (AOL Entertainment). The last story stated, “Now, left-wing commentators are blasting Bono, saying that he "glorifies stale, old mercenary approaches" by investing in Pandemic, and that he "should use his financial interest in the company to kill it, or better, he should pull out entirely as an investor, and condemn such imperialist garbage." Bono had no comment.”
Given all of this, the Venezuela Solidarity Network calls on one and all to please continue to distribute information about this outrageous game and to please help inform others about what is really happening in Venezuela and throughout Latin America. “Mercenaries 2: World In Flames” should be stopped.
To get access to all of the files (original letter to Bono of U2, fact sheet/flyer, and press release), please visit:
Hands Off Venezuela
http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/u2_bono_propaganda_venezuela_invasion.htm
Australia Venezuela Solidarity Network
http://www.venezuelasolidarity.org/?q=node/181
Please contact Bono and his associates using the references on the fact sheet / flyer.
If you would like more information, please contact the Venezuela Solidarity Network at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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For an up-to-date analysis on what is happening in Venezuela, please review the following article written by media critic and political commentator, Jeff Cohen, who recently returned from Venezuela:
“Go To Venezuela You Idiot”; Common Dreams News Center (July 6, 2006)
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0706-32.htm
Thanks for the support from one and all.
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