Saturday, August 23, 2008

Military recruits with video games: America's Army

Listen to or download, "Military recruits with video games: 'America's Army'"

The US military has paid over $6 million for the development of a video game as a recruiting tool. Does this game, America's Army, contravene the UN's Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the involvement of children in armed conflict?
The United Nation's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the ACLU say, "yes" - that the game violates international law. The ACLU says it also contravenes the US Senate's ratification of the Protocol in 2002.

Activist Michael Reagan and civil rights attorney Bill Simpich discuss their protests against Ubisoft, the software company in San Francisco that develops the console version of the game. Also included are a review of the game, a segment from the game, and a visit to the military's promotional booth at PAX 07 (Penny Arcade Expo) and a pep-talk from a military marketer.

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