Michelle Naar-Obed: Violent video games used for military recruitment have "touched a nerve"

Michelle Naar-Obed, of Loaves and Fishes, a Catholic Worker House in Duluth, Minnesota, sends us this encouraging report about their work opposing the Army's use of violent video games to for youth recruitment, most recently at the Duluth Airshow:

First, a big thank you to all that called, emailed, and left messages with the airshow organizers, recruiters, PR man and/or airshow sponsors. Thanks to Carol Hannah who researched all the contact info for the sponsors, to Judy Miner who rallied the WI folks to this cause and to Frank Cordaro for sending out information to the broad-based Catholic Worker communities across the country. Responses came in from as far as Oregon.

A report on media coverage: Considering media were not even approached, the coverage was exceptional. Following the local story covered by the Duluth News Tribune and a local TV station, the story was picked up both regionally and nationally. Other media sources who covered this were Mpls. Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, a nationally syndicated podcast called Civilianism, the Wall Street Journal, Minnesota Public Radio, the Associated Press, and a couple of right wing AM radio broadcasters.

It was obvious that the issue of targeting teens through video games for military recruitment touched a nerve. Some of the vets were outraged at the idea of war being reduced to a game and promoted as entertainment. Once I got past all the name calling and slander, I learned a lot from reading the 188 comments posted on the Duluth News Tribune "talk about it" online column. The comments are open to the public and are accessible by going to the DNT website, scroll to "talk about it, more topics", and then scroll down to the July 7 question. You don't have to register to read the comments, only to post a comment. Some of them are worth reading. Another issue that seemed to get addressed, although minimally, is how militarism has become entrenched in every aspect of our society.

Although the Virtual Army Experience wasn't banned from the airshow, quite a bit of discussion was generated through the exposure of its presence. Apparently, some of the sponsors didn't know that this thing would be at the airshow and 2 county commissioners promised to fight for the withdrawal of county money from future airshow events. 2 years ago, St. Mary's Hospital withdrew their sponsorship because of the increased militarization of the airshow.

A witness at the Airshow: On Saturday, July 19, 9 people from Loaves and Fishes and the Duluth peace community offered to break bread with airshow attendees by setting up a "food not bombs" tent in the airshow's public parking lot. Free food was distributed and a safe, nonconfrontational space established to promote dialogue. Once the airshow security recognized that the group was from Loaves and Fishes, the Duluth police were called and the group was treatened with arrest. A few folks broke off to do some sidewalk chalking and Michael Larson was cited for "grafitti" as he was chalking "war isn't fun." Michael has a September 8 court date. The group was also told that it is illegal to give away food. The rest of the group left shortly afterwards without any further arrests.

So those are the highlights. Thank you again to all who raised their voices against the insanity of war. JUST TO BE CLEAR AND TO NOT BE MISQUOTED - this was in no way an attack against the many soldiers who have found themselves either willingly or unwillingly caught in the battlefront. We walk a thin line with recognizing our responsibility to speak out against the injustices of militarism without attacking any individual person in the military. It is often awkward, difficult and uncomfortable to talk about these issues of life and death. We will make mistakes, but I hope we can forgive each other, continue talking and try to find the common ground that binds us together as human beings.

In peace, Michele Naar-Obed

UPDATE: "I like that I got to use a gun!" said 13-year-old Spencer Padgett, after trying the "Virtual Army Experience." Read more...