dead in iraq, America's Army online protest/memorial

[chanolongo]

Not only watching hollywood movies but also critical art pieces, it seems that people from Irak are still invisible as persons.

[IamE0N]

As yet another combat veteran posting on this video -- if I died in Iraq and you posted my name in this propaganda video game as a fleeting memorial... uh, so what? You're a tool. If you want to raise awareness, commemorate, or protest something, then find a way that actually matters a little bit. Patting yourself on the back for spamming a handful of people who vote you out of an online video game is absolutely retarded.

[JamesKernaghan92]

Truth hurts, we don't wanna hear it so we'll kick him!

[SforzandoFilms]

The fact that people were kicking you out of the game proves that most people don't want to know the massive amount of casualties war causes. I guess war is kinda de-glorified when people know there's lots of bloodshed and very little progress. Most supporters of the Iraq war would probably prefer to be locked in a room with a television that keeps saying that we are winning the war and that nobody has died when in reality we are losing the war and thousands are dieing.

[IamE0N]

@SforzandoFilms Actually it proves they were trying to play a video game and didn't appreciate the douchebaggy attempt at a lecture. How about if you go to see a movie and I stand up in the middle of it and start loudly informing you of how terrible rape is? When you tell me to STFU does that mean you're blind to the horrors of rape or does it mean I'm an idiot? But at least it would take some balls to stand up in public like that.

[delappe]

@IamE0N I see your point but I am not sure your analogy is entirely accurate. If, say, the hypothetical movie you are referring to was a piece of pro-war propaganda created purely to encourage impressionable 13 year olds to think about joining the military through a cartoonish and unrealistic depiction of war, then yes, standing up in the middle of such a film would be an appropriate manner in which to protest or memorialize those individuals who have actually died in combat.

[SforzandoFilms]

@IamE0N The "game" in question is more of a propaganda tool for the military. Don't forget that it was created by the U.S. Army itself specifically to convince young teenagers to enlist and possibly die for a cause that they don't really understand. In that sense it is perfectly justified to inform the idiots playing the game that war in reality is not a game. There's no game over. You're fucking dead and all those that have grown to love you in your lifetime will have lost you forever.

[PcGamerPaul]

I have been in the Canadian Forces,Been in Afghanistan,Saw my friend die,. My Brother was in aghanistan before i was, a week later there putting him back together because a mortar tore him apart. War is a horrible.

CPL.Ha

Canadian Forces Infantry

[kirkukiraq1]

fuck you

fuck america

love irak

[badboy1234594]

i hate alll these fags they should die

[Lyckojazz]

I salute you!

A terrible game, an unjust war and tragic, unnecessary deaths - this is a subtle, intelligent way to quietly raise consciousness about it all. Hopefully it's got someone thinking.

[sataf]

I really appreciate this work. Thank you for your effort.

[iamsmike]

America's Army is a pretty terrible game.

Is the "cautionary gesture" you refer to your actions as a caution again idlers and spamming? Because I hate that shit.

[vbertola]

This is one of the most striking and moving pieces of performance art that I've ever seen. As all good art, it successfully creates emotions in the viewer - outrage being one of them - and thus makes them think. Indipendently from what you think of the U.S. war on Iraq, it hits the point of what art is about - raising feelings in those who are exposed to it.

[bschott]

Delappe: Why did you not respond to a soldier who posted earlier?

"TheLonelyMP (11 months ago)

If I die downrange please do not use my name to protest what I was trying to fight to protect. While I know you mean well, this is not the kind of support we need nor want. Those of us who die feel we do so in honor, so please let us keep that honor.You may feel we die in vain but we don't."

[delappe]

We as a nation have been insulated, protected and coddled as to the true cost of the war in Iraq. The AA game is part of a larger context that one could refer to as the virtualization of warfare. This war was/is a mistake propagated by lies. The desire to feel that the war in Iraq is honorable is understandable yet fails to consider the facts of the situation. I see no honor in 80,000-1.2million dead Iraqis, do you?

[sarsfieldusmc]

@delappe When i join the US Army,and God forbid i was to die, don't use my name.

Btw i would rather a kid play this game and get an idea of how an Army operation works than COD. I have a feeling that COD recruites more innocent souls than this game does. Mainly being that this game has shit graphics and you would have to be a dedicated wargamer either planning to join the military or not join the military. :p

[xgunmetalx]

@delappe You are disgusting. You are using the deaths of American soldiers as political cannon fodder. The fact is there are terrorists who want to destroy us because we are Christian nation, and this is a historical fact. Are you also one who protests against Christianity?

For someone who probably views himself as an intelligent person, your actions are incredibly stupid. Perhaps it is you who is INSULATED from the truth, you sound absolutely brain washed by the liberal educational system.

[whatever890327897895]

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill

[delappe]

One could consider my actions in AA as being a virtual conscientious objector. Does this not add a bit of realism to the military simulation?

You are incorrect in your assumption that I would not fight. I would be the first to defend out country for the right reasons. In my actions I am fighting to remember those who have died and encourage others who might consider signing up to consider the very real possibility of dying in an unjust war as being something to think about very carefully.

[whatever890327897895]

I've failed to see you defend anything. You are attacking an organization whose sole purpose is to defend. That defense is not deserved by only American civilians, but by all the civilians of the world. The civilians of Iraq included. They were victims of oppression and tyranny. We removed that tyranny, and are defeating the oppression. Meanwhile you and people like yourself are attacking us from the rear, weakening our efforts. In essence, you are aiding the enemy, who will target you next.

[onsholo]

@whatever890327897895 poor boy really think you give them freedom?the so called oppresion is a resistence to YOUR ARMY just like the union army during the american revolution again the england so if they wrong doing that you are also wrong denying that england owns the entire america

[nick21992]

how do you figure this war is unjust what ever you want to call these terrorists alqueda,taliban mujahadeen.they have all attacked us the marines barracks in lebanon the navy shipp uss cole that killed 17 sailors then the trade centers that killed over 3000 people and then dont forget about the plane they crashed in pensylvania and the one they crashed into the pentagon and now just recently they tried to blow an aircraft in my hometown detroit

[onsholo]

@nick21992 YOU STARTED the kuait war and YOU prevent the iraq from winning it they have more tham engouh reason to do that

[whatever890327897895]

I am a combat veteran. I lost friends in Iraq. What you are doing is wrong.Using a soldier's name to protest the war. Those soldiers gave their lives. You did not. You owe them everything. To use their name and their death for your own agenda is appalling. You have no honor. You know nothing abut duty or sacrifice. I'll be going down range again someday. If I die, the last thing I want is for some pacifist coward to use my name in protest of the struggle for his freedom in which I gave my life.

[delappe]

I am sorry you lost friends in Iraq. We lost now over 4,000 of our fellow citizens in Iraq. My actions are not solely political protest. I am reading and typing the entire list of our military dead, one at a time, carefully, reverently and with all due respect. It is indeed tragic, even criminal that so many may have died in vain. That is difficult to accept.

[whatever890327897895]

People like you will be the reason they have died in vain. You strip the war of it's purpose : to secure the freedoms of a population that could not secure them for itself. If protesting brings an end to the war then the enemy (terrorists and murderers of civilians) will win. Then our soldiers, my brothers will have died in vain, and you and all the other protesters will be at fault. You empty the death of these fine young men and women of value.

[onsholo]

@whatever890327897895 well so if you think that pacifists are coward so you must enjoy seeing your friends bleed out and cutting a man neck cause that is what you are defending you are defending a war while he is defending the end of it and freedom?what freedom?YOU STARTED THE WAR YOU BRING THE DEATH TO THOUSAND OF PEOPLES IN IRAQ do you really think that killing saddam give iraq some freedom?just because they are not catollics this dont mean they dont have freedom

[seanjohn151]

Montel Williams would love you lol!

[bschott]

Good intentions, wrong audience.

Sorry but the guys playing the game see it as that...a game. Just like Counter-Strike, Farcry, Crysis, Call of Duty 4, or any of the other war shooters.

It's a computer game and no one really cares when you type this in. Hey I support what you are doing but you are talking to gamers who couldn't care less about your politics.

It is really a wasted effort on your part but if you want to waste your time, feel free.

[delappe]

I see your point but factually you are incorrect. In 2005 40% of new recruits had played the America's Army "game". Most may be there just to "play" - I suspect, similar to most online gaming experiences there is no recollection of the session afterward - kind of like an empty, action filled, reflexive computer mediated non-event. What I am doing is getting inside of the heads of other players with content that remains unfortunately largely disconnected from the AA experience.

[Tazwegian]

That is a bit technologically determinstic don't you think? Assuming that these gamers are taking a Frankfurt School style uncritical interpratation of this game. I think most of the gamers would know about the horrors of war, though your tactic of shoving it in their face is more likely to lead to them taking an oppositional view of the message you are trying to get across.

[delappe]

I would disagree. Protest is by nature oppositional. Gamers may react negatively to my actions - yet they are remembering my actions and maybe the names that are quietly appearing on their computer screens. Others are dying in a war while they are playing soldier. That is outrageous on a basic, human level. I seek to bring reality to the fantasy.  I question their escapism. By doing so I am in fact seeking to honor and question the deaths of our soldiers.

[r31ncarnat3d]

It may just be me, but I honestly don't see AA as more of a game. I'm a regular on the game myself, and pretty much find all stereotypes towards AA (and gamers) false. Have a great social life, great academics, no desire to join the army whatsoever, plans for college, etc.

I agree with bschott. I find AA as just a game, really. An escape from reality (politics, war, stress), actually, but nothing that makes me want to join the army or fight in a false war.

[bschott]

R31ncarnated is right. It's just a game to many of us. We can tell reality from fiction.

To be honest all you are doing is upsetting folks you are trying to win over. You handicap one team because they are down a player on their side who could be helping to win that round for the team. Only cheaters irk players more in my experience.

[delappe]

Good for you. As I've noted on these responses previously, in 2005 40% of new recruits surveyed noted that they had played this "game".

AA is part of the military industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about so many years ago.

[r31ncarnat3d]

In my honest opinion, propaganda only works on the weak minded. It is as much as the recruits' faults for not being able to discern fact from fiction, to not be able to think for themselves, as it is the Army for putting this game out there.

[bschott]

Finally, you think you are getting inside their heads but I honestly forgot about you until I saw this vid and put 2 and 2 together.

I didn't even know what you were doing before I saw the vid. I just thought you were some kid being an ass.

[delappe]

Well, you are thinking about it now, yes?

[whatever890327897895]

Thinking about what 'now'? I was on the front lines for two years pal. I think I have a better prospective on the war than someone who sits behind a computer screen protesting lives lost in the defense of a nation that doesn't support them, because that nation, like yourself, has been brainwashed by the lies and propaganda that the terrorists create. Once they have enough people like you on their side to destroy organizations like the U.S.Army, you will become useless and therefore killed.

[onsholo]

@whatever890327897895 they said the same thing about the sovietic union but look how it is now russia get one of the bigger mafias in the world and that mafia is make mostly be ex-KGB or es-red army and spetnaz soldiers russia had a really low crime amount and now the got one of the hightest do you call that"bring freedom to a contry"?do you aredly thinked that maybe the just dont want the american style of life? and that the one that got brain wash was you with the american propagand?

[thewinna123789]

3:31 number 2442 *lol*

[erdem111]

gaylord... :D

[thewinna123789]

yes xD

[egyptiansushi]

They are dead. Nice.

[Arvignron]

Okay, i don't want to sound rude or offensive but i don't see the point of doing this in an online game. Sorry, but this is the wrong way to exert your kind intentions.

[futurehope65]

Good work! War is not a game. Just visit a VA hospital sometime and look at the results. No re-spawn in real life. I chose to serve, and volunteered to die defending the Constitution, too bad so few people bother to read it...

[cielomobile]

Very creative.

[saucengine]

I can appreciate what your trying to do, war is never a happy place to be. But surely disturbing an innocent online match to publicise your opinion is a little... well... "crap".

I appreciate what your trying to do, ive been working on a paper concerning Language of advertising and military recruitment, but perhaps theres a more constructive way of expressing your beliefs than interrupting a game?

Well peace out.

[delappe]

One could write hundreds of papers criticizing the war and recruiting methods - taking my protest/memorial into this context has proven to be very effective. Consider how many Southerners were outraged by blacks sitting at lunch counters in the 60's - they were effective as they took their message to the public through direct action. Consider what I am doing as virtual direct action in a politicized, militarized, online public space. AA is anything but an "innocent online match".

[CommieKid]

@saucengine its a fucking video game

[saucengine]

@CommieKid its fucking people trying to play a video game.

[Seakster123]

What is the website?

[Tjechi]

poor

[dennisthemenace0WNS]

Fuck those bitches who are trying to kick you. And think you're spamming.

[Joe42007]

I am no American, i'm German.

I like playing AAO. It is entertaining game and teamwork is in great demand.

I'm very glad that US preserves peace and freedom in the world. Sustained success can only be achieved by determent and very well trained and equipped soldiers. Maybe this game might help there.

However I think in a democracy you should be allowed to say what you think and use the means which you consider legitimate.

Finally it's the duty of politicians to do what folk wants them to do.

[ommis10]

poor

[delappe]

You make a valid comment. However I would suggest that if the AA game is a context that trivializes the deaths of real soldiers, it is likely far more problematic than my actions therein.

[bschott]

If, in your words, "the AA game is a context that trivializes the deaths of real soldiers", why are you letting CoD4, CoD5, Farcry 2 or any other real-world setting FPS get a pass? CoD4 felt much more like I was in a war setting in Iraq than AA ever did.

I think you are going after the game just because of who is behind it, not because it (like most other RW shooters) trivializes deaths of real soldiers. MANY games do that.

[delappe]

Simply stated, I focus on America's Army because it is, in fact, virtual military space - a tax payer funded recruiting, marketing and propaganda game - the others you note, are not.

[BeaAurthur]

I can really appreciate your intentions, and I don't support this endless war either. However, I feel like your execution is really base- sort of like P.E.T.A. members dressing like animals or having lame celebrities pose naked to protest fur, your medium obscures and trivializes your message. The fact this AA game exists is really troubling but isn't there is a smarter way to react to it as an artist?

[shspunkrockr]

Appreciate the men that fight for your rights to be a stupid fucking hippie, and stop protesting something you don't know shit about. Have you been to war? Have you done anything to serve your country? Then shut the fuck up. I hope you get AIDS and die in a fire.

[delappe]

This work seeks to create a connection to the very real sacrifices by OUR soldiers. If we, as tax paying citizens and members of a representative democracy are not allowed to say or know about what OUR military is doing in the world (or in computer games for that matter) then we have become a fascist state. The argument that anyone who hasn't fought in a war has nothing to say about what is being done IN OUR NAME is specious at best.

[shspunkrockr]

I didn't say anyone who hasn't been to war you fucking retard. I'm talking about serving your country. You haven't done shit for your country. You're not changing anything or saving the world. You're disregarding and mocking the sacrifices these men have made for your right to be a stupid fucking hippie douchebag. If you really wanna do something worthwhile and help your fellow Americans, join the military, serve your country. But at the least, quit being a burden to society.

[Jura88]

n00b its only a game, and if ppl wanna fight in wars let em be, its their own choice not yours !!!

[zacksethandy]

your forgot to type a few things. at the end you should have added, "lest they died in vein" then your so called memorial would have more purpose than to simply be an anti war bigot. it would serve the purpose of reminding america that our blood has been spilled on their soil, abandoning our mission now wastes all of their sacrifices. i for one will not accept that, defeat is not an option, the waste of life is not an optio.

[TheLonelyMP]

If I die downrange please do not use my name to protest what I was trying to fight to protect. While I know you mean well, this is not the kind of support we need nor want. Those of us who die feel we do so in honor, so please let us keep that honor.You may feel we die in vain but we don't.

[Javin007]

As prior military, and having served my time in Iraq, I just want to say that this disgusts me, and stains the reason that every soldier puts their life on the line for their country. You're a worthless piece of filth. My brothers in arms died for their belief in their country, and having been over there, I know we did the right thing. Using their names to tout your own trash is the most dishonorable thing I can imagine. I sincerely hope you die.

[rethguals]

I couldn't think of a bigger waste of time even if I tried.

Wait wait, I've got it! Type all those names into the Trade Chat of World of Warcraft!

[morrowind161]

Why are you protesting in a game... the gamers there didn't care or didn't knew what you were saying only that your anoying them with your "spam" it's 15-17 year old gamers i supose they don't care about the war nor the death's they just rot away behind there pc just like me im a 15 year old gamer and i don't give shit about the war.

[morrowind161]

its a pay to download game now :S

[appleslime]

rest in peace, every soldier that died.

war is no game, and you have a great idea going.

[RussellG1992]

for example an influence for joining is something like

a family member in the army and u look up to him/her

somone was killed by the enemy the army is fighiting and you want to fight them too

or my reason pure patriotism and love of my own country

[RussellG1992]

Americas Army is nothing more than a game for civilians and military personal to play for fun it is not intended to be like real life

many kids want a semi realistic war game to play all the other games out now are to fake for fun although some are good the US army only made this game for kids to play and nothing more besides most people who join the army are are influinced by a lot more than a fun game

[DorothyCatalonia]

This is a great idea, and more people should be doing it. My friend joined the army mostly because he was obsessed with the game Battlefield 2 and wanted to do it in real life. Those war hawks who sponsor games like this need to see what they're doing.

[MetalheadGMH]

How is this a memorial to the ones who have fallen? one of my best friends died doing something that you don't have the balls to do. Theres better ways of protesting or making a memorial and this isn't doing either. you and

Waterkelpy can go blow goats for all I care.

[delappe]

I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Did he play this "game" before joining up? In doing what I am doing I am possibly closing a loop - encouraging young, impressionable minds that their virtual actions in the game could be the first step towards the very real consequences of warfare. My memorial simply and directly reminds one of the very real consequences of war using the tradition of a roll call of the fallen in a new and intrinsically implicated context.

[SilviaS14Crazeddrftr]

I've seen the screen shots posted around on the web and when you went in there no body really asked for more explination. They just insulted you and kicked from the "game". I don't think you've made a impact on anyone on the "game" or had them even consider stop playing. I'm not supporting war I know how it is to have some one over there. Everyday you think something can go wrong. I know what your point is and i appriciate it.

[Yowzoe]

Silvia, I think it's about planting a seed in players' (and others') minds. It's about trying to start the thinking process about this game, who funds it, how it conditions. The "Dead-in-Iraq is art, perhaps not meant to immediately impact any kid's decision to get sucked up into killing for oil and pride, but maybe to begin the process of thinking of the propaganda that makes us all more willing to get caught up in war fever.

[MetalheadGMH]

"I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Did he play this "game" before joining up?" He did not play this game or any other games. your using a game to promote your stupid beliefs and its pathetic. people know whats real and what isn't. I play this game all the time and you don't see me running to join the Army. you have no dam proof that this game suckers kids into joining the military. get a life and the hippie age is over.

[Joao42]

how do u think thats useful? why dont u waste ure time doind something thats actually going to acomplish something for those dead soldiers.

When ppl play video games is to relax and have a lil fun, i think its unfair to the gamers having to see those messages when they are trying to enjoy themselves, and u cant complain for them kicking u, most of them are kids.

And finally i think its offensive to those dead soldiers and their families what u are doing.

[delappe]

When one chooses to "play" this "game" you are engaging in what is essentially a new type of tax payer funded political propaganda - highly unrealistic and misleading to the point of absurdity in regard to the actual experience of warfare. To "relax and have a lil fun" in this "game", while real soldiers and civilians are being killed is morally indefensible.

[Waterkelpy]

wow your weren't kidding about some of these comments! but then utube is like that, no matter what is on here it gets abuse it some form, and funny that usually no matter what people are commenting against, the comments mostly seem to be the same

[mrtekkid]

hahaha what a dumb ass.... go ahead and waste your life..... n00b

your are just another tick mark on my frag rate

[FOOSAG]

lol he's using an apple keyboard!

[Tsour29]

This war isnt a fucking game u dumbass

[WulfofDeath]

you are an ignorant fuck. And for all you assholes who "protest" the war in the middle east by mentioning the names of my fallen comrades and brothers in arms, you are dishonoring there name memory and actions. You all disgust me.

[493175001]

noob spammer

[pagetube]

warrock is better

[DaScatman]

1VB is a clan of actual vets. They might find your trivialization of their dead brothers in arms to be disrespectful, especially in a game. Something they relax in. Silly anti war kiddies. Maybe if they'd actually stop and think, maybe they could actually make an argument against Bush like the rest of us sane individuals.

[DemonHide]

Hey, man. I really support what you're doing, but I gotta say that you don't know jack about kids these days, and neither does the DoD. Kids play the game as just another FPS and give no second thought about it. Most of them just hate it because it's not just run and gun. The ones that do like it aren't gonna join up cuz they're too busy playing it! But anyways, thanks for the memorial bit. It's appreciated.

[yoyopro]

You make a good point. AA is like no other FPS game. As far as concequences in a video game go (a point which delappe seems to miss), AA is better than most games. With AA, you have actual RoE, as well as the fact that when you die, you're dead, you don't re-spawn on the map. Staying alive means something in AA, unlike other FPS games.

[delappe]

I gave serious thought to the idea of inputting the names of dead Iraqis into the game - a list of such, however, does not exist. I also don't think it would be entirely fair to lay the blame for the deaths of civilians directly at the doorstep of the US military - they are working in our name after all. Inputing the names of soldiers in the AA game is appropriate - it closes a loop - from recruitment to the possibility of death. I am working on a different project to remember civilian deaths.

[soulhunter61]

Where can I get a copy of this game I would like to help. I don't really like to download stuff so do you know where I can find a disk of it?

[SilviaS14Crazeddrftr]

Ok Delappe I appriciate your care for the Boys over seas but i highly doubt they got there because this game. I play this game and It has no effect on me as well as most others. If anything this makes the players understand there is risk in all of this. They are aware of the possability of death and casualties. This game is for gaming only its the army experiance with no chance of death.

[HopeFear]

Excellent. However it would be nice if the 700 000 or so Iraqi civilians and 'insurgents' who have thus far been slaughtered on their own soil by American soldiers got a little mention as well. Or maybe American lives are worth more than others...

[bryon17]

so your saying the "mean" americans are killing the nice suicde bombing child killing insurgents? /extreme sarcasm

[LordMikhail]

Iraq is hardly safer than is was since Bushs Crusade on terrorism, besides which, if bombing none milatary targets such as hospitals and cities isn't terrorism, what is? Americas a fine one to talk about terrorism, it's guilty of more acts of mass genocide than any other nation

[Xiareo]

yoyopro go burn in hell. This is a brilliant idea, and i strongly support it as i have been doing it too and i am now at nearley #3000.

[DaScatman]

Nice job, retard. Good job representing the pro-peace. "Go burn in hell." How about you paint a red cross on your shirt and go on crusade, mr. Templar.

[yoyopro]

haha, thanks for the defense dascatman. Me? "burn in hell"? I suppose I'd have to believe in hell for that to happen. I'll just leave it up to Christians and Muslims to duke that one out.

All I did was leave my reasoned observation, and in return I get a virulent flame from a "pro-peace" activist like Xiareo . . . it figures.

[yoyopro]

As a fleeting memorial or a cautionary gesture, I really don't see you accomplishing much here. You do certainly seem to be pissing off other AA players - in that regard you are succeeding!

[DaScatman]

He isn't. At all.

[ratsouffle]

i really support what you are doing

[julichvyasdi]

brilliant idea. stop the war!

[DaScatman]

You realize there are more conflicts world wide than just Iraq? Try all of fucking Africa. Typical western Ignorance.