Fri 8 Feb 2008
Let’s start by setting the record straight. I’m a Muslim. I’m not a Terrorist nor do I have any criminal record of any kind. I believe that the events of September 11th, 2001 were horrible and I do not support their perpetrators in any which way. I love Canada and plan on living here for the rest of my life if I can help it.
It might also be good to point out that I’m a big fan of the multi-player part of Call of Duty 4. I’ve played it for 50+ hours and have already unlocked all of the challenges and all the weapons (and am now just trying to max-out head-shots for the golden weapons). I’ve played many First Person Shooters and have to admit that Call of Duty 4 offers enough innovation to keep me interested and coming back for more.
I hadn’t even tried the single-player mode up until today. I’ve seen preview videos of Call of Duty 4 and came to my own conclusions about it before I even played the game. I was born in Iraq and much of my family still lives there. Call of Duty 4 partially takes place in an un-named Islamic state that bears more than a passing resemblance to modern-day Iraq. Also, the subtitle “Modern Warfare” is a clue in itself to the location of the action.
My family and I were never supporters of Saddam Hussein. Quite the contrary, I have family members who were executed by him for being part of the Iraqi resistance. We were very happy to see him deposed and executed. But we’d be even happier now if the Americans left Iraq. As much as the mainstream media is trying to convince the world to the contrary, there is no civil war brewing in Iraq. Shias and Sunnis in Iraq have been living in peace, and repeatedly inter-marrying, for centuries. My extended family is predominantly Shia even though I personally am not.
It is common knowledge now that there never were any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and nor has there ever been. The majority of the world deemed the invasion illegal and groundless. As I understand it, the majority of Americans want an end to the war as well.
That said, I cannot support a war in Iraq in any way. And no, I do not support the American, British, and Canadian troops who are there. How can I support an army waging a war I oppose? The thought is ludicrous. I don’t wish death on them, I just want them to peacefully go (and come) home.
Call of Duty 4 has you fight “the good fight” as an American Marine or a British SAS agent in circumstances that resemble the current war too closely. I felt sick to the stomach shooting down digital representations of Muslims fighting in their own streets with inferior weaponry. I couldn’t get past the first desert map and I don’t intend to try again, my heart still hurts from when I tried the first time.
I felt almost the same way but, regrettably, not as intensely when I played Ubisoft’s Ghost Recon: Avanced Warfighter I & II. They pit you, American Special Forces, against Latin-American revolutionaries of all people! I felt sick to the stomach then, but kept playing. Why is it that Vietnamese are never rarely depicted as the bad guys in video games? Because that was a war the world would rather forget. If Infinity Ward had more foresight they would have seen that the Iraqi War will undoubtedly fall into this category in the future.
It’s really a shame because the multi-player part of the game is solid. I’ll continue to play that but will leave the single-player to both those with a stronger heart, and to the heartless….
Related posts:
- The Iron Man Movie: A Muslim point of view.
- Little Big Planet Delay : A Muslim Point of View
- Left 4 Dead cover art revealed!
- Motorstorm: What? No Splitscreen?
- Answer to British News Site requesting stories of Video Games leading to Crime!
February 8th, 2008 at 05:01
No matter who the enemy is, someone will be a member of that race/group. Not all games can have us facing aliens from outer space.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:58
You’re 100% right, but some games let you play both sides or at least sympathize with both. Call of Duty 4 does not.
Also, this is such a sensitive topic now, it might have been better to wait at least until the current war was over?
February 8th, 2008 at 19:04
“I do not support the American, British, and Canadian troops who are there.”
Thankfully, there are no Canadian Troops in Iraq. Did you mean Afghanistan?
February 8th, 2008 at 20:22
Actually I did mean Iraq. If there are no Canadian troops there, all the better
February 10th, 2008 at 11:12
Just to clarify, there are *no* Canadian troops in Iraq. Our Liberal government at the time did not agree with the pretense behind the war, and opted to not go in. It’s really a pity and a shame nowadays that people somehow equate Canadian values with American values, and just lump the two together.
Also, there are tons of games that let you play against the Vietnamese–that war is being exposed for what it was, and as such, games are made more so to shock the audience. Specifically, look at Battlefield Vietnam (a huge game that had/has tons of players) and Shellshock: Nam ’67–a game that garnered lots of press and decent reviews.
Thanks for listening.
February 10th, 2008 at 12:35
I wasn’t actually aware that there were any mainstream Vietnam games but now I stand corrected. Thank you.
February 14th, 2008 at 21:34
No Canadian troops in Iraq indeed (well, except the Embassy and Consulate defense forces as usual of course)
After 9/11 the US invoked article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Since Osama (the bearded one) personally and publicly acknowledged involvement in it and that Afghan government refused to cooperate in his capture , the NATO allies were ‘forced’ to take action against Afghanistan. The presence of Canadian troops there might be controversial but is still in our treaty obligations. Let’s not forget that no matter how we might disagree with them now, we MIGHT need help from the US in the future. Even the ‘fuck USA’ France is present in Afghanistan.
The invasion of Iraq is something else completely. This was a total farce and the USA did not even really try to persuade the NATO allies that Iraq was linked to 9/11 so article 5 could not be invoked there, especially with no support from the UN.
US puppets provided some help but this is an almost exclusively US operation. Even the British (and then Spanish) forces represent a very low % of the troops there.
No matter how I hate the idea of the British being there, I have to ask myself if I could have said ‘NO’ to Bush if I owned as much as UK does to the US from WWII……
February 14th, 2008 at 21:38
But I disgress, as for the game itself, be happy you cannot ‘play it as an Iraqi’. They would probably make it so that You’re setting bombs and killing babies.
February 29th, 2008 at 06:43
I’m not sure how I should respond to this, part of me feels sympathetic to your sensibilities and supports your decision not to play the single player campaign of COD4, but another thinks that your are denying yourself the chance to be told a bloody good yarn.
leaving aside the setting and characterisations of the various factions, the storytelling in COD4 is some of the best I’ve seen in an action FPS for a long time, by the end I really felt for the characters involved (the ones that I played as well as those I shot down). The theme is not the current conflict, that is just the scenery. The theme is getting across to people that modern warfare, for all its technology, gadgetry and efficiency is still a horrible, brutal and disgusting venture which dehumanises all those involved and should never be entered into lightly. You have to play the game all the way through to see it though. I’m sorry if you feel you can’t do that, but its your decision.
As to the “Not all games can be about shooting aliens” point made above; I quite agree, sometimes we need to see humanity for the animal it is to better understand ourselves and grow beyond our more visceral and violent tendencies. I think COD4 did a brave (though ultimately one-sided) thing, the fact is that there are people in the world who really are that nast and there are others who would oppose them. Those two diametrically opposed sides of ourselves just happen to be depicted in the game along the lines of Muslims and Americans, but the line could just as easily be drawn along republican and democrat lines, or catholic and protestant. It all boils down to us and them, and the sooner we see that there is just us, and all the ‘thems’ are imaginary the better.
March 9th, 2008 at 19:04
I think you’re over reacting mate.
There’s nothing racial about it, it’s a pseudo-realistic story about a war that could well happen and the Middle East is the perfect candidate for that right now.
If you’d actually carried on playing, the American’s make a big fuck up of it all, they don’t just wipe the floor with them.
And it’s not like you’re just shooting Iraqi citizens, you’re fighting an extremist terrorist organisation, pretty staple enemies.
I’m British, if I complained everytime something Yankee put a Brit as the bad guy, then I wouldn’t have time to do anything else!
March 14th, 2008 at 22:52
Muslim == Terrorist
EOD
March 14th, 2008 at 22:58
Oh yeah, because so much of American culture attacks the Brits as we bomb and kill you all.
To the person who made the above comment – are you fucking kidding me?
An entire culture and religion is being dehumanized everyday in the media as ‘terrorists’ and ‘extremists’ and now there’s a video game that glorifies the idea the anyone fighting American/British troops are mindless, soulless, killing machines that destroy for no purpose.
But you wouldn’t dare complain if America ever took a shot at you?
Of course you can take it with a grain of salt, because you’re not being attacked from all angles. You don’t have to explain to anyone that because you’re British doesn’t mean you’re a terrorist, you don’t have to miss out on an awesome videogame because the entire time your killing the same type of people you grew up with.
Almost everyone in Iraq who’s fighting American troops right now aren’t terrorist, they’re people who are doing more than you and I to get rid of the troops in Iraq. Yet this game plays them all as the bad guys, perpetuates the idea that they all have nukes and are ready to blow at any moment.
This entire game is built on the lies that got us stuck in Iraq.
March 14th, 2008 at 23:46
But the game isn’t about Iraq. It’s a modern day setting set somewhere in the Middle East with thinly veiled connections to Iraq, yes, but it’s still not Iraq.
March 15th, 2008 at 00:55
Really? pussy
March 15th, 2008 at 00:56
what a little bitch
March 15th, 2008 at 01:12
your heart is not weak for rejecting these premises. i assert instead that it is strong for rejecting the things your mind may not have had an issue with.
March 15th, 2008 at 02:36
This will sum COD4 up nicely. Funny too..
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/2901-Zero-Punctuation-Call-of-Duty-4
March 15th, 2008 at 03:45
Get bent mozzie…
If anything the Amis and Canucks are too soft on you.
I enjoyed CoD 4 a lot.
March 15th, 2008 at 04:31
good media analysis. it’s definitely true that it stereotypes people from the middle-east and stuff..
technically canadians can join the u.s. military and then go to iraq. but thankfully canada has not become directly involved in the iraq disaster.
March 15th, 2008 at 06:10
No one wants a terrorist like you playing a murder simulator fuck you sir
March 15th, 2008 at 07:13
Game is a game.
Real life is real life.
It’s messed up when someone can;t differentiate the two.
/sigh
March 15th, 2008 at 09:16
“Why is it that Vietnamese are never depicted as the bad guys in video games?”
Battlefield Vietnam.
It was a great game.
March 15th, 2008 at 09:27
When you have trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality, there is a problem.
Besides, the main villain is RUSSIAN.
“A Russian ultra nationalist called Zakhaev wants to bring back the Soviet Union and has instigated a civil war in his homeland through funding the Russian mafia and other unsavory organizations. In order to get the attention of the Attack dog of the west AKA America, he funds a coup in the middle east with the help of Al-Asad.”
In other words, the only similarities between COD4 and the Iraq War are that portions of it take place in the Middle East and it features Arabic/Muslim fighters in those portions. You are drawing comparisons that aren’t there, in a sort of projection of your fear of bigotry that results in it’s own unique bigotry. You think the makers of the game are out to get you since you are Muslim, but it really couldn’t be farther from the truth. At least your paranoia is currently only resulting in bigotry against a game, but your line of reasoning often leads to full on racism against actual people. It’s sad really, and a little bit frightening, because it’s the source of so many problems in the world.
March 15th, 2008 at 13:00
Awwww, what’s the matter? You gonna cry? Fuckin’ pussy.
March 15th, 2008 at 13:24
No weapons of mass destruction ever in Iraq. I think the Kurds would beg to differ,
March 15th, 2008 at 13:26
Voideka, you are an asshole.
“You think the makers of the game are out to get you since you are Muslim”
Muslims are being shot in Iraq right now, they ARE out to get them. And a game is cashing in on shooting iraqis, and you dismiss it because some made up russian is the plot of the game. Bravo, what a thinker you are.
“At least your paranoia is currently only resulting in bigotry against a game, but your line of reasoning often leads to full on racism against actual people.”
Wow! Just wow! Do you think before you type?
This is why the good old US is always rescuing the world, or just defending themselves, right?
Good post Osama, don’t be affraid to call it as you see it, you may be right, you may be wrong, but in a sea of rednecks and numb people, you weren’t affraid to speak your mind. The world is with you, the world is tired of this BS.
March 15th, 2008 at 13:34
If you dont like the fact that you have to “shoot” a digital representation of a MUS. the dont play the game. Simple self-censorship. ITS A GAME! no not all Mus. are terorists but there are Mus. terrorists …. not my problem. KILL EM ALL LET ALLAH SORTEM OUT!
March 15th, 2008 at 13:38
i was in iraq. sunni kill shia all day long and vice versa. insurgents come from all over but what is the common fact, they are all muslim. as far as wmd’s i have seen the frogger 27 missile in iraq which was banned. Who is it made by the French go figure. Allah sucks d@@k for beer money.
March 15th, 2008 at 13:46
Grow a set you fucking pussy. You better not play video games you might strain your jerk off fingers
March 15th, 2008 at 13:51
muslim blood makes the grass grow.
March 15th, 2008 at 14:13
“It is common knowledge now that there never were any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and nor has there ever been”
I guess Sadam never then gassed his OWN people and killed 10,000 of them in a gas attack in the 80′s then, huh?
You sir, are an idiot.
March 15th, 2008 at 14:13
This motherfucker talkin about vietnamese never being the bad guys..u ever played nam’64 u retarded fucking imbred muslim
March 15th, 2008 at 14:22
SUPPORT THE TROOPS, even if you don’t support the war!!!!!
Go back to Iraq, you don’t support the troops? Then you don’t support: the everyday citizen of this country, you don’t support the troops that are back here in the US, the Fireman, the Police Officers and every public service member that makes the country (and the fagot ass Canada) a safe place to live.
The troops aren’t the ones that can end this war, the US government is. So don’t support the government, but always support the troops. They are ordered by the US to do what they are doing, if they don’t do what they are told, they will go away for a very long time. Our troops are men an women that want to support this country, don’t get me going on how I think everyone should have to serve in the military at some point in their lives.
Don’t get me wrong, I want our troops home badly.
March 15th, 2008 at 14:23
let me piss on a quran in your honor….asshole.
March 15th, 2008 at 14:53
Hmmmm… let’s take a look at the current hot-spots in world today:
Palestine/Israel – Muslims involved? Check.
India/Pakistan – Muslims involved? Check.
Genocide in sub-Saharan Africa – Muslims involved? Check.
Kosovo/Balkans – Muslims involved? Check.
Philippines – Muslims involved? Check.
Uzbekistan – Muslims involved? Check.
Iraq – Muslims involved? Check.
Afghanistan – Muslims involved? Check.
In fact, it’s hard to think of a single place in the world where people are actually shooting each other where Muslims AREN’T involved. With a common denominator like that, who do you think is really at fault?
“Religion of Peace” my ass. Sometimes a spade is a spade.
March 15th, 2008 at 14:56
Hey Dubbya…
Don’t forget the stockpiles that the U.N. had RECORDED AND TAGGED for destruction prior to the inspectors being kicked out in 1998. Then, when the inspectors came back, they had just *disappeared*. No one could say exactly where they went. I guess he never had those either.
Anyone who buys this BS has been brainwashed by MoveOn and Code Pink. Wake up and smell the mustard gas. Until you anti-war loons can tell me *definitively* where those WMDs WENT, don’t ask me to explain where they are now.
March 15th, 2008 at 15:20
“It is common knowledge now that there never were any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and nor has there ever been.”
Really? so the people of Halabja all just dropped dead of fright?
even though Saddam Told George Piro, that he would reconstitute the progrma as soon as sanctions were ended?
“As I understand it, the majority of Americans want an end to the war as well.
”
think youre watching too much CNN
Shias and Sunnis living peacefully? what rock are you living under up there eh?
Iran and the Extremist Wahhabi are using each faction as a proxie to assault the other.
March 15th, 2008 at 15:24
Wow! And I thought I had issues. Its a friggin video game! Right now there is some Alien in a far away Galaxy feeling sick to his stomache cause he is shooting Earthlings. LOL. My advice, if you feel that badly, start your own knitting club and hang out at the local Seniors center.
March 15th, 2008 at 15:37
Battlefield Vietnam by EA… the music was awesome
March 15th, 2008 at 16:27
The writer of this “POS” is a ridiculous joke.
First of all, 50+ hours in any online game still qualifies you as a n00b.
And secondly, you’re a tit-sucking hypocrite.
March 15th, 2008 at 16:45
JS, you must suck ass at games if it takes you 50+ hours to not be a n00b
March 15th, 2008 at 16:50
i like shooting the muslims in CoD 4 way more than the russians
March 15th, 2008 at 17:35
“It is common knowledge now that there never were any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and nor has there ever been”
Explain the poison gas attacks against the Kurds.
Keep your fucking muzzie mouth shut and stick to playing games on your mother’s couch, dumbfuck.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:14
It never says it is Iraq. Even if it looks like Iraq, it’s not meant to be. It’s just meant to look like a middle-eastern country. It’s called modern warfare, I don’t think they would be able to center it in any other countries without making it hard to believe.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:38
I agree with you completely, it’s unfair for one side to be constantly shown as “the bad guys” in our media. How many movies portray middle eastern men as bomb wielding psychos?
As you said, these people have inferior technology especially when it comes to combat and they’re only protecting their own streets from invasion. Anyone in the US would do the same if the roles were reversed.
Don’t listen to these morons and their comments for they’re the ones spewing fuel on a fire that has carelessly spread. Anyone with a brain in their head wants this war to end, American or not, those who think otherwise need to stop looking for more gasoline.
March 15th, 2008 at 18:48
I want to play this game now… I will pretend they are you, then i will shoot them and possibly violate their wives in a vicious and brutal fashion… God is dead.
March 15th, 2008 at 19:08
First of all the AK 47 is not an inferior weapon, it is a very good one, and your taking the game to seriously. The game is not focused on killing muslims it is a war where muslims happen to live plus their terrorists.
March 15th, 2008 at 19:28
Fuck you Panther,
I am willing to bet every penny to my name that you live in the fucked up town of Berkley, you are the assistant fag of Code Pink, you found this bull shit story on you laptop while protesting in front of the Marine Corp recruiting office, while drinking your iced mocha frappuccino latte, no foam, hold the whip from Starfucks. Don’t forget to pick up your soy milk from Whole Foods.
Go live in Iraq with the retard that wrote this story.
March 15th, 2008 at 19:43
Here’s a novel idea. If the game bothers you, then DON’T Fucking Play It!!!!!! play something else you liberal lets all get along little pussy!
March 15th, 2008 at 19:52
Actually, the nation in the game is supposed to be modelled after Saudi Arabia (based off the geography displayed on the map before the level starts), not Iraq.
Additionally, WMDs are not mentioned at all in the leadup to the invasion. The invasion is justified by the U.S. as being a “regime reversion” after a fundamentalist radical (see the broadcasts during the car ride) with anti-American views siezes control from the democratically elected government. This overthrow is seen as casus belili to invade.
March 15th, 2008 at 19:53
Come on, I don’t see any German’s on line saying how they felt “sick” about shooting German troops in any of the other Call of Duty’s. The same goes for the Vietnamese or Russians in any other first person shooter. It’s called Modern Warfare for a reason, and it just so happens that Muslim groups are in a lot of conflicts today. Seriously, stop whining. It’s amazing how Muslims complain about how everything from Coke to Cartoons offends them. Plus they also know how the Western media plays off all that shit and blows it way out of proportion. It’s a video game dude. Play Call of Duty 1-3 if you don’t like killing Muslims with “inferior” weapons.
March 15th, 2008 at 19:57
To bad you feel that way, From what I see if you don’t like it here go away!
March 15th, 2008 at 20:31
Hello Osama,
>I felt sick to the stomach
>shooting down digital
>representations of Muslims
>fighting in their own streets
>with inferior weaponry.
I’d like to point out that American Protestant kids likely shoot simulated Protest Germans in WW2 FPSs and American Catholic kids likely shoot simulated Catholic Italians in WW2 FPSs. I am in an Orthodox church and an ethnic Russian but had no problem fighting Soviet soldiers in games.
Just because a person has the same religion as you doesn’t absolve them from their actions. The “Muslims” U.S. forces are fighting in Iraq have no compunction whatsoever with blowing up Muslim kids or behading Muslim policemen who are trying to secure their country against militants from Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran.
March 15th, 2008 at 20:32
Let ME start by setting the record straight.
No Muhammadan can be fully trusted, ever, due to the nature of the religion. At any time a mild mannered, law-abiding (non-sharia law), affable Muhammadan person is capable of commiting the most dispicable acts imaginable and such acts will be in full compliance with his religion’s dictates.
As a matter of fact, doing such things will bring the perpetrator much closer to immitating the Perfect Man, Muhammad himself.
The author then makes a ridiculous, easily disproven statement about Iraqi WMD and others here have already tackled that so I will just say that it is a bright flashing sign indicating he isn’t interested in even rudimentary research outside of certain circles which is very telling. FYI hundreds of chemical shells have been discovered in the last 5 years that Saddam had leftover also.
There WAS a low level civil war happening, there is not one now. Saddam forces who didn’t fight during the invasion along with foreign Muhammadan fighters under the banner of al qaida did their best to start a civil war between fellow Muhammadans. They were steadily destroyed by the Americans and others to the point where they were weakened enough to embolden tribes and other Iraqis who were fed up to turn against them and join with the Americans.
That’s where we are now. Oil production is above pre-war levels and all kinds of rebuilding is happening now because they are too weak to sabotage it any more.
Despite the best efforts of the Democrats in the US congress, Bush went with the surge and new strategy and it worked better than anybody hoped. The Iraqi army is growing in numbers and their training is coming along now at a rapid pace and they are taking control but they are not ready to go alone yet which is why we are still there.
Now, CoD4.
Get over it, dickwad. Are you a Canadian or are you a terrorist sympathizing Muhammadan jerkoff? It sounds to me like you are >< close to becoming a real security threat because you are leaning toward actually behaving like a genuine Muhammadan is supposed to behave, rather than a lapsed-”Muslim” who has adapted well to the West by ignoring much of his own religion’s demands on him.
Make a choice. But do us a favor if you choose to be a real Muhammadan simply emigrate to a Muhammadan country instead of attacking your current hosts in the land of Dar al-Harb.
March 15th, 2008 at 21:05
I do recall shooting alot of Russians in that game. I also recall the “Boss Guy” in the game being a Russian Neo-nationalist. Why didn’t you mention that? Or, right, you didn’t make it that far in the game.
You are seriously an idiot. How can you talk about modern events if you didn’t even know that Canada didn’t send troops to Iraq? Your ignorance is staggering and makes me laugh at you instead of feel sorry for you.
and btw….I can think of atleast 2 games where you fight the Vietnamese. Battlefield Vietnam was a really fun game too.
Furthermore, what is happening in Iraq is that Muslims are killing other Muslims! Anyone with a brain recognizes that the primary enemy of the innocent Iraqi civilian are the insurgents that are detonating car bombs in market places with the INTENTION of killing Muslims. Not to mention bombings that are intended to kill innocent people merely because they may be Shia or Sunni. Islam is one messed up religion. Christians and Jews got over their internal religious wars centuries ago.
Why doesn’t the Muslim world grow up?
You know, the game really does do one thing very well. The Russians in the game use the Arabs because they know they are short-sighted and blinded by religious zeal. They made the perfect puppets. They game designers really hit that nail square on the dead.
March 15th, 2008 at 21:09
You are glad Saddam was taken out… but you don’t support the means by which it was done…
The stupidity of the average TV watching American has rubbed off on you. You should consider going back to Iraq. It’s for your own good.
March 15th, 2008 at 21:29
Sorry, but I just can’t sympathize with you at all. Games these days focus on one thing… That’s being as realistic as possible. Like it or not, we have enemies and right now that happens to be persons of the Islamic/middle eastern persuasion. If it’s not that race of people were fighting, it’s another. Why? Because we generally don’t war with each other.
March 15th, 2008 at 22:00
I wonder if the Germans feel the same way about Call of Duty 2, or 3, or the Southerns in America won’t play the History Channel’s Civil War, or the Japanese play the Pacific War.
Get over it, you can be a Christian, Muslim, Mormon, Jew, Buhdist, Atheist, or whatever you want to be when you are an American. Also, we get to be anyone so we can fight anyone because that is what we are…….the FUTURE of this world…..We come from all corners and end up fighting our ancestors homeland.
I wonder if we would have entered WWI or WWII if we had people with your opinions in the REAL Army.
Sincerely,
Sgt13Echo
March 15th, 2008 at 22:15
I love it when I see somebody getted handed there own ass on a silver platter in an argument. I notice that after several people debunked your theories you just shut up without any kind of rebuttal. I would really like to now why you assumed the people from the ‘desert’ stages as you called them were muslim. That seems pretty racist to me that you assume people in the middle east are all Muslims. Second, if America leaves who the hell is going to help do anything. If I remeber correctly all the bombs going off are going off in civilan areas. If its not Iraqis setting them off, who is it? Iraqs neighbors? Great job, talk about a massacre. What happens if Iran or another neighboring country decided they wanted some free oil? I don’t think that your showing America or American people enough respect. Our soliders fucking died over there to remove Hussain from power and all of a sudden you just want us to leave. Good thinking and great rationalization.
March 15th, 2008 at 22:30
1. Remember the UN sanctions? The majority of the UN passed multiple resolutions to invade.
2. Ask the Kurds about WMD in Iraq.
3. Please stay in Canada.
March 15th, 2008 at 23:17
Not to delve too deeply into the motivation behind one of the best online playable games in the history of gaming, but seriously? Here I would almost bet my lucky left testicle that if Iraq cranked out video games, not a few of them would picture American and British soldiers being gunned down. You’re an Iraqi-Canadian, step off from trashing American points of view becuase you aren’t an American. We’re huge fans of different ideas. And the marketing is just there.
No one ever says “All muslims are evil” in Call of Duty 4. The “Modern Warfare” subheader for that game is just, it describes how modern warfare is indeed soldiers fighting radical terrorist groups. Sadly, the bulk of zealouts and terrorists in the modern age just so happen to be Muslim. I’ve been to Iraq and while my views are not neccesarily that of the Army, good is beind done there. Why leave that country when they still haven’t even gotten the concept of running water in more than 1/4 the homes? Think about it pal.
March 15th, 2008 at 23:30
Vietcong is a Vietnamese bad guy game. came out long before call of duity 4 actually came out before 9/11/01
March 15th, 2008 at 23:56
Then there was also Conflict Vietnam for the X-Box. It was made by the same people that had Conflict Desert Storm’ 1 and 2. Great games all three of them. All are squad based games and fun as hell.
March 16th, 2008 at 01:03
I completely agree with you Osama…You are da man…
March 16th, 2008 at 01:06
the surge lol. how about having a game plan in the first place. how about not lying to the american people to justify a war that his father didn’t finish. how about 3800 US soldiers killed, 28,000 wounded? how about 1 trillion spent on a fruitless endeavor. iraq was something georgie thought would be easy. and it is , if your sitting in the oval office watching the economy tank and our boys getting killed everyday.
March 16th, 2008 at 01:17
Wow, didn’t expect this kind of response at all. A lot of people have anger problems I see… oh well what can you do.
A few points…
I was wrong about the WMD comment and I retract my previous statement. For whatever reason, I didn’t consider chemical weapons WMD’s and that’s just wrong. I had also made a mistake about Canadians being in Iraq and I retracted that statement as well. I’m not the first person to make a mistake in a blog post and I won’t be the last.
I didn’t question the intentions of the game designers behind Call of Duty 4, just their judgment. The war in Iraq is controversial to say the least and so their choice of making the game revolve around “modern warfare” was not the best in my eyes.
For those few who posted in support of my right to voice my opinion, or at least for those who answered with their opinion in a civil tone, thank you. We may disagree but peaceful and civil discourse is the only thing that gives our world hope.
For those who resorted to insulting me, my religion, religions in general, the left, etc… I won’t stoop to your level. If you’re looking for a flame war, look elsewhere.
For those who told me to stop playing if I didn’t like the game, well I didn’t like the single-player part and I DID stop playing. Don’t be hypocrites. I have the right to write about my thoughts and my experiences just as much as you have the right to comment about my post.
I’m not leaving Canada. I love Canada. I’ve had the chance to work elsewhere in the world and have turned it down. God only knows where life will take me in the future, but I’m here to stay now.
My wife is Italian. My in-laws are catholic. My son will be raised with respect and tolerance for everyone. I have many friends who are of different faiths. The other contributer on my blog, my good friend Jean-Francois, is an Atheist. I live in Montreal Canada, one of the most diverse cities in the world. I’m a good person. I don’t hurt anyone. The only laws I break are copyright laws and I’m seriously cutting down on that with the intention of stopping. I’m devout in my faith and it makes me a better person. I don’t ram my beliefs down anyone’s throats but I’m also vocal about my thoughts and am not afraid to make waves.
Anyway, this is just a blog post. Relax people, learn to love one-another.
March 16th, 2008 at 04:16
Well, then it’s all good, Osama. I’m glad you admitted your mistakes which precipitated the very negative reactions to your post.
But if you truly are a “devout” Muslim then you are a threat. Because if you follow the teachings devoutly that means you have certain duties which are incompatible with living in a Western society. But you cannot be devout if your other statements are true because they are in direct conflict with Islamic teachings and are much more akin to Western traditions.
At the very least I hope this whole thing inspires some introspection because the mistakes about WMD and Canada’s role in Iraq are very basic things and central to many arguements. If you had those things wrong please realize that your conclusions are likely formed from incorrect information and incomplete information beyond just those two notable ones.
March 16th, 2008 at 07:00
dude its a fuckin game!
March 16th, 2008 at 09:40
I’m forced to ask…WHO exactly are the “good guys” supposed to fight in a semi-realistic wargame? I honestly dont see why you are making a bug deal out of it. Yes, the war in iraq is fucking old and needs to end, at best. I, as do many millions of other Americans, know that not all muslims are suicidal assholes. If “CoD5:watevr” has me standing in the streets of my own home town, as a civilian/military, figting the military/civilians, ill fucking play it. Why? because at the end of the day when all of the Jack Thompsons, and Joe Arabs are done crying, IT STILL A DAMN GAME. I support my troops, because the DID NOT choose this war. They enlisted to serve and protect their country(ies), and George W. Bitch screwed them over. I DONT support the wave of destruction shit out by my country, but godamnit i will support my troops if they are ordered straight into the heart of fucking London (christ that would be the apocolypse). I mean no ofense to you and your religion and race, tho if you have taken any, im not sorry. These are my last words.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:15
Do you even remember why we went to Iraq to begin with?If the wmd’s weren’t there,then why not let us come in and do our U.N. inspections.We went over there because they refused to comply with the U.N. treaty they agreed to,and after the 9/11 attacks we were in no mood for bullshit.Speaking of the 9/11 attacks,do you bastards even remember those?yeah! the big buildings that came tumbling down,killing thousands,or the planes that caused it? Is any of this ringing a bell?? Quit arguing about fucking religion because that is how it all started to begin with.Everyones screwed up beliefs!! I don’t care what your religious beliefs are,just don’t push them on me.Personally,I’m an atheist and I believe that religion is a crutch for the weak to lean on.You put all your belief in a god you can’t see,hear,or feel, and ask it or him to help you,and save you because you don’t have the stones to help or save yourself.So get on your knees and beg your god for forgivness,I don’t beg and when I die I’ll die on my feet!Just like the brave AMERICAN SOLDIERS that are over there,living and dying because their gov. told them too.They don’t fight for their country,they fight for each other! (THAT, AND THE FUCKIN’ LOCALS KEEP SHOOTING AT THEM!)
March 16th, 2008 at 10:35
I think that people are missing a few things from the storyline, One: The point is to put you into the position of a soldier, they don’t decide what to do, they follow orders even though it puts them through hell. The enemy isen’t Muslims or middle eastern’s in general, the enemy is a terrorist group, In the beginning of the game THAT GROUP is killing the would-be-Iraqi citizens. The point of the game is taking out Tyrants, and which leads to the bigger point of the threat of ideology, people need to consider the thoughts and feelings of others, in put them in the shoes of a human being, not a group. Personally I support the troops just because they didn’t decide to go there! They’re just trying to defend they’re country or people as best as they can, and after living through what they have to they deserve better than being bashed when and if they get home. Vietnam wasn’t a popular war, but once again it wasn’t the soldiers decision, countless numbers of returning soldiers comited suicide.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:01
1. It’s a game, it is only a game, it is not a subversive tactic to creates some sort of geopolitical resonance.
2. Canada signed on to the WMD theory, as did 37 other countries, like it or not.
3. Not one soverign nation is forced by any other nation to “go along” with anything.
4. Never confuse a governements policies with the opinion of its people.
5. Read the Congressional Record if you wish to be informed as to why specific actions were taken. “Bobs Antiwar Blog” isn’t privvy to UN Security Council or US Congress proceedings.
5. It’s a game, it is only a game. If you like it, play it, if you don’t…then move on and quit bitching.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:05
I am Russian, and I find no problems with the Russian missions at all. For gosh sake, it’s a game! There’s only so much planet to pick to fight in, unless you want to spend all your game time fighting martians!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:31
Well put. You make good points and I wish our soldiers could come home today. It’s not our country and we should not be trying to run it.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:54
So let me get this straight. From a Muslim point of view it is perfectly fine to kill, maim, and blow up Caucasian, African, and Asian descendants in a video game but Arab descendants is a no-no? Aren’t we a bit fascist?
I don’t expect a Canadian citizen to support U.S. troops. It’s not their people so of course you wouldn’t care. But you know what? Those are my friends and family dying for your “former” people’s freedom. Something in my opinion they don’t deserve but then again no one deserves freedom, but it is attained and sustained by the blood of those who fight for it. And honestly looking at U.S. military history there will never be a completely U.S. free Iraq. Just like there isn’t a completely U.S. free Germany or a U.S. free Japan. If your “former” people want U.S. troops to go home for the most part the solution is very simple. Stop bombing, stop shooting, stop setting off IED’s against our troops and normal Iraqi citizens because all that tells our commanders and President is that more troops need to be put there.
Lastly though I will agree with you that I think U.S. troops should come home…. And let Iraqi’s just shoot each other and blow themselves up because so far I haven’t seen much evidence that they are worth the effort that the U.S. troops spent trying to make Iraq free. However that isn’t my decision. It isn’t the troops decision either. It’s president Bush and Congress’s decision and until either:
A) A new U.S. president is elected
B) Congress defunds the Iraq war
C) Iraqis stop killing
will there be less U.S. troops in Iraq. Until then I support MY troops who are dying for YOUR family in Iraq. Maybe one day you’ll learn something of respect, but I doubt it.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:32
Oh brother… someone is WAY too sensitive over a frikin VIDEO GAME. If you don’t like it, go make your own. Maybe you can suicide bomb some crowded shopping areas or something. You are also a hypocrite, as well as an over sensitive turd. If you don’t agree with your fellow Muslims blowing stuff up and causing trouble, than you should have no problem killing them.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:51
He said, “there never were any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and nor has there ever been”.
Whaaaa?? What about the thousands of Kurds that were killed by Saddam’s regime in the early 90′s!?!?! Chemical weapons ARE, by definition, weapons of mass destruction!!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:56
“It is common knowledge now that there never were any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and nor has there ever been. The majority of the world deemed the invasion illegal and groundless. As I understand it, the majority of Americans want an end to the war as well.”
Uh what was it all the UN weapons inspectors found and catalouged and were destroying after the first gulf war???? dandelions?? I didn’t make it past that statement of ignorance.
Why don’t you spend some time protesting the real problem that is hurting your religion all the whacko’s blowing shit up. If you guys would stand up and speak out against your own maybe you would deserve some respect.
March 16th, 2008 at 13:55
Wow, “I take back the factual errors in my rant, but reserve the right to cling to the mind-set they helped foster”?
The definition of a “moderate Muslim” is one who is not actively trying to kill you.
“Moderate Muslims” feel it is OK to punish (even execute) a Muslim for converting to another religion.
A “Moderate Muslim” believes that as long as a rape victim doesn’t have four Muslim men give testimony against the rapist, then she should be punished for “crimes against chastity”.
A “moderate Muslim” believes that it is OK to call for the punishment or even murder of anyone who “insults” Islam or Mohammed.
“Moderate Muslims” make Republicans look like Radical Hippies by comparison.
Islam is totally incompatible with the basic concepts of Western Liberal thought.
One last thought: The people of Iraq (and Germany and Japan) should thank their lucky stars they were not occupied by a “Muslim” army.
March 16th, 2008 at 14:02
You say there have never been any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, maybe you should ask all of those Kurds in Northern Iraq who lay dead from Chemical Weapons. Does the name “Chemical Ali ” ring a bell.
March 16th, 2008 at 14:07
Overall, Dehumanizing is in the tongue and eyes of the beholder.
March 16th, 2008 at 14:46
WAAAAA!!! My pussy hurts.
You overindulged little faggot.
I don’t like something, so I need to complain to the world about it.
The game makers are not fair.
THEY’RE NOT, THEY’RE NOT, THEY’RE NOT!!!!
Grow a spine.
You do not have the right to not be offended.
Why are you not living in Iraq now?
Because if you spilled your pussy ideas there, you’d be swinging from a short rope.
If enough of your type complained about things in Iraq or other Muslim countries like you do here, you would’nt have to run from the government there.
Douche.
March 16th, 2008 at 15:51
The intolerance of the American people never ceases to amaze me. You guys say Muslim are violent because they’re involved in world troubles … you guys have had your dirty noses in every war since World War II.
I’m so glad I’m not American. Land of the idiots.
March 16th, 2008 at 15:53
I still play a lot of multiplayer and really enjoyed the single-player for COD4 because the graphics were excellent and the action was intense. The story-line was OK, but for story-telling, I stick with movies and books. If you dislike shooting ‘digital representations’ of ANYONE, you should not play an FPS.
March 16th, 2008 at 17:23
i am an infidel! Fuck you, you muslim pieces of shit!
March 16th, 2008 at 19:55
You are the product of wastefulness. Your sayings cost you nothing and you do not pay a price when you lie. Surely, the great one will call you to account and on seeing the value of your words will say, “This one is worthless, nay less than zero, and this comforted child of laziness and hate will have to atone for his cheap words”.
March 16th, 2008 at 20:15
Sorry if this has already been said (I haven’t read all the comments)
I agree with your statement that war games can be deemed sick (by depicting events where numerous people died seemingly only for entertainment purposes), but lets be fair. You said yourself you ‘regrettably’ played through Ghost Recon, so the only issue here seems to be that you have strong ties with a conflict you think this game is based on. I think it would be unfair to criticise CoD4 for essentially doing what all war games do, represent war.
I am English and am opposed to the Iraq war but did not see this game as offensive, if anything I would praise it for its depiction of both the USMC and SAS in the game. Neither are exactly shown to be wonderful almighty forces, their screw ups aren’t shied away from. If you are ‘sick to the stomach’ by seeing Muslims getting shot in COD4 but play other way games maybe you should re-evaluate who is heartless.
Also, just for the record, there are numerous Vietnam games: like Vietcong 1&2, Conflict Vietnam, Battlefield Nam etc which depict Vietnamese in a far more damning light than the fictional (albeit pretty obvious) Iraqi Muslims in COD4.
March 16th, 2008 at 20:26
when we pull out of iraq, your family will be killed on the first day.
March 16th, 2008 at 21:19
Although I see your complaints with the game, most of what you say is narrow minded, biased bullshit. First, the game does not allude to a war in Iraq (that would be to controversial). It alludes to a war in the middle east in a fictional country. The reason that it is shown here is because of the constant conflicts their right now. And “oh no!!! the muslims have inferior weapons”!!!! Do they not have inferior weapons now? are they not using ak-47′s while everyone else is using m-16′s? And also, as “Matt” said, the Americans are not “glorified” in this game. If anything, IW is speaking out against war. If you had played through the game, you would have seen how in the bombing sequence (when you bomb the little white people), the pilot is joking about you killing these people. This creates a very awkward situation for you and shows emotional arrogance on the part of the Americans. In conclusion, if you would have played through the game, go ahead and state your opinions. But if you have only played one mission of “shooting your own people”, please do not judge the game by its cover. Things happen differently then you might think and Infinity Ward made sure this game wasnt biased. And ultimately, grow a fucking set of balls pussy. Im sorry if your heart was aching for the artificial intelligence you were killing that happened to look like muslims. And if you decide not to play it for this reason, keep it to yourself and stop complaining online like a little pussy. And if you unrightfully disagree with what Infinity Ward created, then go all the way and stop playing online but you are just a pussy on another front too.
March 16th, 2008 at 23:51
ya, he is right, you are being a pussy
March 17th, 2008 at 00:55
i bet none of you faggots even fought iraq.
osama…shut your fuckin mouth, you bought the game homo.
March 17th, 2008 at 06:02
boo hoo hoo. don’t like the game? don’t play it.
would you be happier if you could play a suicide bomber and blow up some infidels?
March 17th, 2008 at 11:10
Give me a break. They do have Vietnamese as bad guys in games. They’re called Vietnam War FPSs, like conflict: VIETNAM. The story line has nothing to do with the current situation. I don’t think the US went in to Iraq because Saddam Hussein killed the president of his country with the backing of a terrorist RUSSIAN organization. Don’t be such a bleeding heart. Grow some balls.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:26
This is ridiculous.
So, here we are, on some blog. Some guy expressed his opinion about a game. He says that it offended him to some extent.
Let’s see, many of our responses are, essentially:
“ur a pussy”
“stoopid muslim terrorist go blow up”
Now, look at your behaviour, and compare it to his. He has encouraged a peaceful discussion, and has not been at all inflammatory in his posting. Many have gone so far as to threaten him, his people, or even his family.
What about freedom of speech? Can this guy not express his opinion?
It is funny, that this war is apparently being fought to promote democracy and equality in the Middle East, and yet this is the response anyone remotely related to it gets. Not very democratic at all, is it?
He has already retracted several of the statements which you are attacking him on. Seriously, read and THINK before you make as insulting and damning posts as you have.
Would you act this way to another member of whatever country you are from? I doubt it. Just because this is the internet, and there is a muslim in it, does not mean morals are null.
Seriously guys, think about what you’re doing. At the very least, he does not deserve to have death threats made to his family on his blog.
Many have made fairly peaceful posts; this is good. But, to those who have not, perhaps standing by the morals on which our respective countries are based would be to the benefit of all.
Also, he did respond, and clear things up; it’s somewhere in the middle of the replies. I’d reccomend giving it a read as well before further posting, if you missed it.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:28
Sure they never found any WMDs but it is a proven fact that Saddam had them in the past. The UN documented all of this post Gulf War.
March 17th, 2008 at 15:23
Victor: I’m glad you’re not American also. We have enough whining pussies in this country as it is.
March 17th, 2008 at 18:46
Too bad there isn’t an “Exterminate the Jews” FSP out. I bet you would have no moral issues playing that, you Muslim cocksucker.
March 17th, 2008 at 20:26
cry a little more.
March 18th, 2008 at 14:07
Now I know your lying because in the 1st sentence you say your a muslim, and in the following sentence you say your not a terrorist. Fucking lier.
March 18th, 2008 at 21:50
Wow… Just looking at the racist, reactionary rantings from these right-wing assholes makes me fear for my country.
I love how most of you pricks fault Muslims for being hate-filled, then you turn around and talk about how you nearly cum when you shoot them, and how you want to rape their women for revenge.
Pathetic couch-monkeys.
March 19th, 2008 at 00:44
theres always someone who has to bitch about something…get over it.
March 20th, 2008 at 15:11
Dude. You’re a pussy.
August 4th, 2008 at 13:28
I bet half of you would not have the courage to say the racist things you guys said here in person in front of Osama or anyone else…I can’t believe how people can actually be…he is a critic and has just done his job…your threats and insults are downright ridiculous
September 1st, 2008 at 14:20
I’m ashamed to be American when I see people like all of you. The man stated his opinion in a very civil way, why can’t you disagree in a similarly civil way? I hope “God’s judgment” comes down on the bible Belt first.
September 11th, 2008 at 00:05
War is always a touchy subject to touch, specially when it hits close to home. I’m sorry you had to experience that, Osama. Video games should never make you feel sick to your stomach. I am from El Salvador and I would never play an FPS that would make me fight my own people.
But I do support the troops. My cousin was one of the first men to cross the border into Iraq and I saw first hand when he came home how it affected him. He opposed the war, but had no choice in going because he signed 2 year contract with the military. I respect your opinion and do wish the troops would come home. But I, like many other American families, understand the sacrifice that those troops have made in serving their country.
September 22nd, 2008 at 22:18
Pity them, all this vitriol comes from self hate; it always does. The only saving grace is that some of these people are young enough to have a chance at having reality seep into their minds. Or maybe I’m just being optimistic.
October 17th, 2008 at 13:19
You don’t seem to have done any research at all. There have been plenty of games with the Viet Cong as the “bad guys” — try “‘Nam”, and there are no Canadian troops in Iraq — just Afghanistan.
December 27th, 2008 at 00:33
I honestly have to say you have a pretty weak heart if it hurt playing this game. For countless generations, Russians have been evil, blood thirsty communists who are shot and killed in american movies. I am a Russian, and I couldn’t care less.
March 23rd, 2010 at 22:51
*cough* its just a game *cough*
I understand how you are feeling but really… It just a fun game. I love the game cause its so much fun, Not killing muslims, infact, how do you know that muslims are under those? It could be russians which is wut the game usually intends go after. You are just sterotyping ur own culture. Shame Shame Shame
April 28th, 2011 at 05:45
That’s why I bought this game, to shoot filthy muslims in the gut
It’s fun fun fun cleaning out the islamic scum. The only downside is that they aren’t real 
ps: if they were real I would kill all the women so you towelheads can’t breed any more pieces of shit into the world.
October 14th, 2011 at 06:07
@Gravatar:
Please consult some psychiatrist. You need help man.