U2 Bono Backing Venezuela-Invasion Video Game

[solve_et_coagula]

U2 Bono Backing Venezuela-Invasion Video Game

Submitted by ridefree on 7 August, 2006 -

By: Venezuela Solidarity Network

WASHINGTON D.C. - U2's Bono, well recognized for his campaigns to reduce poverty and treat AIDS in Africa is backing a videogame which promotes the invasion and destruction of Venezuela in order to check "a power hungry tyrant" who has "seized control of Venezuela and her oil supply." Bono has failed to respond to concerns raised by the Venezuelan Solidarity Network about his funding of this project.

"Mercenaries 2: World in Flames," created by Los Angeles based Pandemic/Bioware Studios, simulates a mercenary invasion of Venezuela in the year 2007. Pandemic is a subcontractor for the US Army and CIA funded Institute for Creative Technologies, which uses Hollywood techniques to mount war simulations in California's high desert in order to conduct military training. "Mercenaries 2: World in Flames" simulates destruction in downtown Caracas, and promises to leave no part of Venezuela untouched.

Elevation Partners is an investment firm that Bono helped create in order to exploit marketing opportunities between U2 and its fans, including projects from Pandemic/Bioware Studios. Pandemic states that as a partner in Elevation Partners, Bono "has visibility into all projects at Pandemic and Bioware."

Pandemic's target market is young men of military recruitment age and indeed this is not Pandemic's first military adventure. MSNBC reported that the videogame “’Full Spectrum Warrior’ was created through the Institute for Creative Technologies in Marina Del Rey, Calif., a $45 million endeavor formed by the Army five years ago to connect academics with local entertainment and video game industries. The institute subcontracted work to Los Angeles based Pandemic Studios."

(http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3131181#storyContinued)

One cannot escape the irony that today, July 5, Venezuela celebrates its independence -- just one day after the US celebrated its own. The most enduring aspect of an independent country is assertion of its sovereignty and demand that the world recognize international laws protecting that sovereignty. Yet, amid relentless US threats against Venezuela, a US-based company, Pandemic, which collaborates with the US Army to promote war, plans to market a videogame which advocates a most violent violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Although Bono remains silent on the matter and Pandemic insists that "Mercenaries 2: World in Flames" is "a work of fictional entertainment" and "Venezuela was chosen for the setting of Mercenaries 2 (because it) is a fascinating and colorful country full of wonderful architecture, geography and culture," members of the Venezuela Solidarity Network are appalled by the game's openly racist, interventionist attitude. Says Chuck Kaufman, of Alliance for Global Justice, "if it's 'just a game' and it's all about selecting fascinating and colorful locales, why didn't Pandemic select Dublin or Washington, D.C.? Because people would be outraged, that's why. Pandemic is simply capitalizing on negative and inaccurate U.S. press stories about Venezuela and its leader, Hugo Chavez, in order to make a quick buck. It's another piece of anti-Venezuelan propaganda that serves only the U.S. military, pure and simple."

Gunnar Gundersen of the Oregon Bolivarian Circle says, "We have family and friends in Venezuela and many of us have walked and stayed in the places featured in the war game. To us, these are not just clever abstract pictures. They are scenes of a place we consider our second home. Please try to imagine how Venezuelans must feel viewing a bulky, blonde, military man laying waste to their country, a country that is finally rising above a 500-year history of oppression and exploitation by foreign powers."

The Venezuelan Solidarity Network calls for Bono, who has appealed to the world on many occasions for peace and poverty reduction, to apply those same values to block the manufacture and distribution of this videogame.

For more information contact: Shirley Pate at +1-202-277-8252

http://oat.tao.ca/node/view/486

[roxanna]

U2 Bono Backing Venezuela-Invasion Video Game

Submitted by ridefree on 7 August, 2006 -

By: Venezuela Solidarity Network

WASHINGTON D.C. - U2's Bono, well recognized for his campaigns to reduce poverty and treat AIDS in Africa is backing a videogame which promotes the invasion and destruction of Venezuela in order to check "a power hungry tyrant" who has "seized control of Venezuela and her oil supply." Bono has failed to respond to concerns raised by the Venezuelan Solidarity Network about his funding of this project.

"Mercenaries 2: World in Flames," created by Los Angeles based Pandemic/Bioware Studios, simulates a mercenary invasion of Venezuela in the year 2007. Pandemic is a subcontractor for the US Army and CIA funded Institute for Creative Technologies, which uses Hollywood techniques to mount war simulations in California's high desert in order to conduct military training. "Mercenaries 2: World in Flames" simulates destruction in downtown Caracas, and promises to leave no part of Venezuela untouched.

Elevation Partners is an investment firm that Bono helped create in order to exploit marketing opportunities between U2 and its fans, including projects from Pandemic/Bioware Studios. Pandemic states that as a partner in Elevation Partners, Bono "has visibility into all projects at Pandemic and Bioware."

Pandemic's target market is young men of military recruitment age and indeed this is not Pandemic's first military adventure. MSNBC reported that the videogame “’Full Spectrum Warrior’ was created through the Institute for Creative Technologies in Marina Del Rey, Calif., a $45 million endeavor formed by the Army five years ago to connect academics with local entertainment and video game industries. The institute subcontracted work to Los Angeles based Pandemic Studios."

(http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3131181#storyContinued)

One cannot escape the irony that today, July 5, Venezuela celebrates its independence -- just one day after the US celebrated its own. The most enduring aspect of an independent country is assertion of its sovereignty and demand that the world recognize international laws protecting that sovereignty. Yet, amid relentless US threats against Venezuela, a US-based company, Pandemic, which collaborates with the US Army to promote war, plans to market a videogame which advocates a most violent violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Although Bono remains silent on the matter and Pandemic insists that "Mercenaries 2: World in Flames" is "a work of fictional entertainment" and "Venezuela was chosen for the setting of Mercenaries 2 (because it) is a fascinating and colorful country full of wonderful architecture, geography and culture," members of the Venezuela Solidarity Network are appalled by the game's openly racist, interventionist attitude. Says Chuck Kaufman, of Alliance for Global Justice, "if it's 'just a game' and it's all about selecting fascinating and colorful locales, why didn't Pandemic select Dublin or Washington, D.C.? Because people would be outraged, that's why. Pandemic is simply capitalizing on negative and inaccurate U.S. press stories about Venezuela and its leader, Hugo Chavez, in order to make a quick buck. It's another piece of anti-Venezuelan propaganda that serves only the U.S. military, pure and simple."

Gunnar Gundersen of the Oregon Bolivarian Circle says, "We have family and friends in Venezuela and many of us have walked and stayed in the places featured in the war game. To us, these are not just clever abstract pictures. They are scenes of a place we consider our second home. Please try to imagine how Venezuelans must feel viewing a bulky, blonde, military man laying waste to their country, a country that is finally rising above a 500-year history of oppression and exploitation by foreign powers."

The Venezuelan Solidarity Network calls for Bono, who has appealed to the world on many occasions for peace and poverty reduction, to apply those same values to block the manufacture and distribution of this videogame.

For more information contact: Shirley Pate at +1-202-277-8252

http://oat.tao.ca/node/view/486

I cant say Im surprised by this. Just look at the videos of U2, full of illuminati symbolism, but this takes the cake. Ever see the
prayer day with George W. Bush? Disgraceful. Hes in on it and not on our side.

[lookfar]

I'm not surprised by this either. He's been in on it for quite a while:( I used to like U2 in their early days!

[jimijams]

Hes in on it and not on our side.
I doubt he is 'in on it' but he most definately is a useful stooge with now zero credibility..

[roxanna]

you may be right jim still his knighthood, the bush thing, katrina, etc makes me wonder though i do not have facts if he is or not just speculating, either way shame

[jimijams]

you may be right jim still his knighthood, the bush thing, katrina, etc makes me wonder though i do not have facts if he is or not just speculating, either way shame
He's an Irishman, he could never be one of them nor does he need to be..

He has a healthy ego and good intentions, thats enough..

[richmick]

He is a knight of the British empire. That should tell you something. I dont believe he is an unwitting fool, even the other band members said in an interview, he had changed. I might be wrong, but feel after geldolf and bono hyjacked the G8 summit from the actual representatives OF THE African NATIONS, and came out with a half baked deal, something felt wonky. Just my opinion of course.:)

[roxanna]

He's an Irishman, he could never be one of them nor does he need to be..

He has a healthy ego and good intentions, thats enough..

Hmm lol the fact hes an irishman means jack shit. I love the irish well one of them, and Ive been there. The illuminate are there as they are everywhere. Hes very suspect in my opinion and his "irishness" has nothing to do with anything.

[roxanna]

lol i suck with computers didnt edit what i wanted no bother i guess

[roxanna]

He is a knight of the British empire. That should tell you something. I dont believe he is an unwitting fool, even the other band members said in an interview, he had changed. I might be wrong, but feel after geldolf and bono hyjacked the G8 summit from the actual representatives OF THE African NATIONS, and came out with a half baked deal, something felt wonky. Just my opinion of course.:)

I agree something not right with the Geldoph thing, african, knighhood etc seems strange and to me the turning point however was prayer day with Bush, damn! and he knows nothing? hmm I cant say I dont know him still its very suspect etc...

[jimijams]

Hmm lol the fact hes an irishman means jack shit. I love the irish well one of them, and Ive been there. The illuminate are there as they are everywhere. Hes very suspect in my opinion and his "irishness" has nothing to do with anything.
The English have been at war with the Irish for about 800 years so it is relevent, also his knighthood is only honorary as he is not a British citizen..

I believe his intentions are good but he is being played like a fiddle, but thats only my opinion and you are quite entitled to form your own..

[roxanna]

yeah you may be right on that I know much of that war, and ultimately I feel it doesnt matter if he is on the inside or not, if not then yes a fiddle is being played masterfully if he is well same thing, I suppose we wont ever really know. Either way I must say something, the irish eat well. I was warned to expect horrible food. Nah was delicious!! Cheers

[jimijams]

yeah you may be right on that I know much of that war, and ultimately I feel it doesnt matter if he is on the inside or not, if not then yes a fiddle is being played masterfully if he is well same thing, I suppose we wont ever really know. Either way I must say something, the irish eat well. I was warned to expect horrible food. Nah was delicious!! Cheers
Who needs food in Ireland when you've got Guinness..;)

[roxanna]

Who needs food in Ireland when you've got Guinness..;)

LOL Im trying not to laugh at that. I did try guiness in all fairness ok liked it. But its poisen. Guiness in Eire, Budweiser in the states, Pilsen in costa rica. Helps to numb us down. Im no hypocrite I drink now and then and think hmmm time to not, better pot.

[roxanna]

Who needs food in Ireland when you've got Guinness..;)

Oh one more thing, the kidney pie! I shudder to think of whence it came from but dame really tasty. lol also the supermac burgers, ok im given away lol

[jimijams]

Oh one more thing, the kidney pie! I shudder to think of whence it came from but dame really tasty. lol also the supermac burgers, ok im given away lol
Mmm sounds delicous, but I think I'll stick with the Guinness thanks anyway..:D

[roxanna]

Mmm sounds delicous, but I think I'll stick with the Guinness thanks anyway..:D

lol sure no problem but the pies wow!!

[roxanna]

im a hypochrite, i eat next to nothing sometimes nothing but i love to make food and taste and know whats good its a question of where i am now when in eire i did eat and was happy to find was pretty good, love the mushrooms!!

[roxanna]

and I know that isnt "normal" per say, just going through a time of losing loved ones due to the nwo so no appetite but a guiness now would be nice, till then im doing energy drinks and the like till im back to eating
peace

[lord rothlizard]

I agree something not right with the Geldoph thing, african, knighhood etc seems strange and to me the turning point however was prayer day with Bush, damn! and he knows nothing? hmm I cant say I dont know him still its very suspect etc... Everyman has his price.

[synchronicity]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0433cba2-2639-11db-afa1-0000779e2340.html

Forbes sells stake to Bono buy-out fund
By James Politi and Joshua Chaffin in New York

The Forbes family has agreed to sell a large minority stake in its media empire to Elevation, the buy-out fund of rock star Bono, in a deal worth about $300m. The move highlights how private investors are seeking bargains in the struggling business of print journalism.

The deal represents a big bet by Steve Forbes, the most prominent member of the family, that outside capital and know-how will help speed the 89-year-old magazine’s transition into the digital age.

It highlights Elevation’s conviction that old media companies with strong brands should be able to recreate themselves and thrive on the web.

“We see enormous opportunities for growth on the web side,” Mr Forbes said. Some of the new capital will be used to develop new local language print and online publications in markets such as eastern Europe, China and India. “There is a growing entrepreneurial community there and we believe who gets there first will do best.”

Forbes, like other business titles, saw its circulation and advertising pages sink following the collapse of the technology bubble in 2001. This, along with the growth of its web business, led to speculation that the family might consider shutting down its print operations – which Mr Forbes strongly denies.

“One of the things we like about Elevation is that they realised that print is the core [of the business],” Mr Forbes said.

The Forbes family chose the sale of a minority stake over other solutions, such as the sale of the entire group. Although Bono, the U2 rock star, is a partner in Elevation, the main buy-out executive in the negotiations was Roger McNamee, formerly of Silver Lake Partners.

The exact terms of the deal were not disclosed on Monday but people close to the talks said Elevation would receive a 40 per cent stake in Forbes for a price between $250m and $300m. There is no mechanism for Elevation to wrench control of the media empire from the Forbes family, these people insisted.

As for Bono’s involvement, Mr Forbes said his experience in the music industry gave him a greater understanding of how digital technology was rapidly changing media. When asked if Bono, a campaigner for social justice, was a reader of Forbes, which relishes its reputation as a capitalist bible, Mr Forbes replied: “I’m told he was – and he certainly will be now.”

[friendsinthesky]

I did laugh whilst reading the article, can you guess why


Bono campaign goes into red;Peta Hellard

BONO'S crusading credibility has taken a dent after his latest charity effort proved a failure.

The U2 front man's costly Red Campaign product line earned only $23 million for international charity Global Fund, it was revealed yesterday.
The 12-month campaign featured celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, supermodel Christy Turlington, Steven Spielberg and comedian Chris Rock in expensive advertising.

They pushed the Irish singer's agenda one T-shirt at a time, with products including clothing, iPods, mobile phones and credit cards.

The campaign's retail giant partners, including Gap, Apple and Motorola, reportedly spent $130 million in promoting Red Products, but figures released yesterday showed only $23 million had been raised by the project, launched a year ago in a blaze of publicity.

The campaign's failure prompted critics to question Bono's effectiveness.

He has met everyone from Pope John Paul II to US President George W. Bush to try to achieve debt relief and address poverty and AIDS in the undeveloped world.

Bono has not let the setback stop him from embarking on another ambitious project.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21336893-2902,00.html


What made me laugh?

Well the article is not logical to me. Why spend $130million to promote a charity! Why not give $130million immediately to the charity.:confused:

[i_am]

I doubt he is 'in on it' but he most definately is a useful stooge with now zero credibility..

I have to agree with jimi on this one. I think he is being played like a fiddle. He has a massive ego and his buttons are being pushed to the max. So he has received a knighthood! What a stroking of that ego. Most people don't see that dubious honour the way we do. Has he changed? Or has that ego just taken over, as it is meant to. Mind control can be achieved in many different ways.

[paulski]

I doubt he is 'in on it' but he most definately is a useful stooge with now zero credibility..


Bono it seems is always paraded out by the elite to promote the agenda.
It appears that the massaging of his ego has not allowed him to see the real view through those fly goggles.:cool:

It's a shame because I genuinely think he believes that he is doing something good.

[intruder]

Bono also has the annoying habit of lecturing Canada,and our "finance minister" in particular about how the Canadian govt. doesn't provide enough foreign aid etc. ad naseum....Stick to music Bono and your off shore investments...."come in here dear boy have a cigar..."

Hey Bono...I notice a suspicious LACK of altered dominant chords in U2's music...!!!!!!!!!!!