Oh, there are definitely some pro-terrorist video games out there, but none in the mainstream (see the link I posted in Reply #4). Most are pretty lame, but the point is still driven home. People who think video games (or television and movies) do not influence people are really naive. The absolutely do. The more blatant anti-American (pro-terrorist) games will never be seen at a retail store, unless it's one in Pakistan. Of course, there are all kinds of pro-American video games out there, but even those don't show American's just blowing away Muslims. There is a limit to what people will put up with.
I think the game makers were making a game that was exactly what they said it was, that it didn't have anything to do with US soldiers at Gitmo, but I also think they themselves were naive to think they could put something like that out there and not have everyone on the planet make the direct connection to terrorist suspects being held without trial by the US government. But knowing how game makers and software developers think, the process of developing it, it's quite possible that no one thought about any of the ramifications because they were so focused on the development. They took steps to cover themselves legally, like making sure it was set during a time when Gitmo was to have been closed, and that no US soldiers where there, and that terrorist suspects were not part of the game, but that's as far as they thought it through from a legal and practical perspective.
Being familiar with the company and some of their software, there is just no way that they'd come out with a game like this in a "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" manner knowing that mercenaries and the game setting would all be code what what happened at Gitmo. Controvertial is one thing this company is not. They were just looking to do a fresh, new first person shooter by using a new and unique setting for the game. The fact that they yanked this thing from develoepment within 48 hours of it all hitting the fan should tell you something. If they really wanted it to be what everyone is alleging it is, they'd have stuck with their story and finished the development of the game.
As for Begg's Royalties, Scotland Yard has been watching him, and his bank accounts, like a hungry python eyeing a swamp rat. They've got a good handle on every penny this guy sees.
"1. At what point does this type of stuff become terrorist propaganda? Granted, there are free speech rights but we still aren't allowed to yell "FIRE" in a crowded theater."
Well, I would think that the game would actually have to be released for it to be considered terrorist propaganda. This one's been labeled as terrorist propaganda based on a game trailer that reveals nothing about the game. Even if a game such as this were released and was over-the-top blatant about it, with rag-headed terrorists gunning down uniformed US soldiers, it would still be very, very hard to silence it without hard evidence of a direct connection to incitement. Free Speech is a bіtch, so you've got to be very careful when you censor it. (rag-headed may seem racist, I know, but the description fits well here. Sorry).
"2. A related question - at what point does a religion become a political organization, especially one that is dedicated to the destruction of our country and our civilization?"
With Islam, there is no disctintion between religion and the State. None. They are one in the same.
"More pointedly, at what point does Islam become Islamo-facism?"
Much like a Mac, Islam works right out of the box. Islam becomes Islamo-facism the moment you plug it in and turn it on.
"Do we have to wait until the madrasses that teach hatred for America become bomb-making terrorist cells before shutting them down?"
Considering that most on the Left consider terrorism a criminal act, yeah, we do. They will prosecute the act, and turn a blind eye to the indoctrination. They will treat the symptom and ignore the cause.
"Judging from what we're hearing from president Barack Hussein Obama and his recently admitted muslim heritage and roots these questions will not even be asked, much less answered."
Well, don't lump all of Islam and all Muslims with the radical fundamentalists. Most Muslims are peaceful people, but it's the ones who interpret a small section of the Qur'an ran out of context to mean "kill the infidels" (that's us). They have twisted what "jihad" means, and have done so as a means to power (just like most religions twist things, actually). Just like people take bits and piece of the Bible and interpret them to mean whatever they want, people do it with the Qur'an, too. Just because you're a Muslim doesn't mean you're a wild-eyed jihadist any more than just because you're a Christian means you're a wild-eyed snake handler.
But it is, I think, important for people to fully understand that to Muslims, Islam and the government are one. There is no difference. More moderate Muslims (the ones that "true" Muslims say aren't Muslims) understand that there is a difference and can live with that. Yet even for them, there is a strong need/want/desire to meld the two, which is why we are seeing Sharian courts pop up all over the place, so that their daily lives can be goverened within the rules of Islam.
