War on Terror Blog
Friday 21st March 2008
The Obligatory 'Iraq, Five Years On' Post
I love the fact that the closest we get to serious analysis comes not from the severity of the situation demanding such analysis, but because we happen to operate within a decimal number system and 'five' is a nice, round number within that.
Of course, the documentaries, the news 'specials' and the comment pieces should be a regular fixture as long as there is news to report (and there obviously is - how many people have covered the refugee crisis in depth?). But we're confined to just a couple of weeks on this anniversary where there is increased focus on the war in Iraq and, to a lesser extent, the war on terror in general.
And despite the fact that it's only two weeks of extra scrutiny, it should still be the most terrifying two weeks for those in power and anyone who supported the war. They've got to be walking on eggshells, surely? Now everyone knows the facts, the common lies, the memos and internal documents at complete odds with public pronouncements ... surely this is the time when the entire media turn against the government and point the finger of unequivocal blame and call this war by its proper name: not a sham, or a mistake, but a crime?
It's like having an axe murderer in the dock and focussing on whether a sharp knife might not have been the better weapon to use. Sadly, no such luck. Aside from the odd notable exception (like Robert Fisk's excellent article about our consistent failure to learn from history), we've had little real, objective, honest scrutiny. There's been criticism, hand-wringing, soul-searching, analysis of a kind, but not much that hasn't already been said. Aside from anything, the question of motivation, of oil or of permanent US military presence has barely arisen (as I write this, Channel 4 news is finally half-debating the oil question). How can you have a five year retrospective of Iraq and fail to mention oil? Regardless of the conclusions you draw, it's absurd not even to state as a footnote that Iraq sits on the world's 3rd largest oil reserves. It's at least worth the question, if Iraq's major export were asparagus, would we have still be at war?
One of the recent documentaries here in the UK was a film by Peter Oborne, Iraq: The Reckoning, which felt like it should be on the right tracks. It was indeed critical, but always within the established framework of argument permitted by the mainstream media. So the harshest words that were summoned up in judgement of the Iraq war were "the greatest foreign policy disaster since Munich". Oborne also described the war as a "blunder" and a "catastrophe". Again, it might seem perfectly valid on the surface, but it's only when you apply these same criticisms to other events in history - events carried out by our enemies - that you realise that their effect is conversely to re-enforce the party line. Picture Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland being described as a 'foreign policy blunder', or a 'misadventure'. Such language would not only be grossly inappropriate but deceptive by omission of crucial facts - namely the failure to mention a deliberate and illegal war of aggression. The sad thing is that by calling the war a 'blunder' you actually excuse the government of a more serious crime. The picture that's painted is one of a clumsy, but friendly giant, trying to do good, but thwarted by his awkward and ill-thought out plans. And all the while, people accept this as the far left boundary of the debate and proof of a democratic system successfully regulating itself (see this Times article for the meaningless praise given to Oborne's supposed no-holds-barred stance).
What's happening here is we're being told that the worst our government is guilty of is a simple mistake, a foreign policy fumble. It's like having an axe murderer in the dock and the trial focussing on whether a good sharp knife might not have been the better weapon to use.
Not wanting to lay it on too thick, but the basic facts of Iraq are desperately simple, well documented and accepted. The war was illegal; the fall-out that we now see was very much expected; and Iraq fits into a pattern of 'foreign policy blunders' that is far from unique. It's within this framework that questions should be asked, not dithering over the hows and whys of particular military tactics.
Also note that the most common criticisms - 'disaster' and 'catastrophe' - are both words that have strong links to naturally occurring, unavoidable phenomena. A tidal wave, an earthquake, a train crash - these are all catastrophes and disasters. An illegal war of aggression - that which was labelled the "supreme international crime" by the Nuremberg Tribunal - is none of these words. Instead it is "criminal", "devastating" and "horrific". Why do we not hear these words used in the media? That's the real question that needs asking.
To finish our own little retrospective, here are two films that sadly didn't get prime time TV coverage this week. The first short film is the sort of clip that I wouldn't normally highlight - it's emotive, deals with events without context and offers no objective analysis or insight .... but it did turn my stomach. It's a small snapshot of the dehumanising horrors of war and the public don't get to see enough of that.
The second is an excellent documentary (by Alex Gibney who did the Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room film) about US torture practices, called 'Taxi to the Dark Side' and is well worth an hour of anyone's time. The best thing about this film is the absurdity of high-ranking officials asking with mock concern, 'How could this happen?' and the film neatly replying: 'Well, look, it's part of your policy'.
- posted by Andy S on 21 March 2008 - 4 comments
Sunday 2nd March 2008
'War on Terrror - The boardgame' now in the Imperial War Museum London
We are chuffed to announce that our board game has been accepted into the collection at the Imperial War Museum, London.
The IWM’s unparalleled collection of resources examine the causes, course and consequences of British conflicts since WWI. Their purpose of broadening people’s understanding and appreciation of history, national identity and civic participation is second to none. Can you think of a better home for our board game?
Difficult to believe that this is the very same game lambasted in the mainstream media, banned from International Toy Fairs, critised by MP’s and excluded from the high street, who claim it to be unsuitable and upsetting for the public. We are often told our game ‘doesn’t fit in‘, but we are not too sure what it doesn't fit in with. We are on our third print run in just over a year; the game has had a very welcome reception with the public all over the world; it's been warmly received in game shops, bookshops, museums and galleries and has even been put to educational use in universities in this country. It would seem our game has 'fitted in' more than most.
It's clear that "fitting in" is everything to do with commercial and power-based self-interests (hardly ever mentioned) and little to do with public interest (almost always cited as 'concern no.1'). Looking around the Imperial War Museum, this behaviour is most evident during times of war, when the insidious power of propaganda to distort truth is at its strongest. Although we often think of the mendacious work of Goebels in WWII, the same tricks are alive and well today, with mass media, businesses and politicians all willingly taking part, carefully ostracising voices of dissent and criticism.
The importance of institutions like the IWM lies in the ability to keep the memory of past conflicts alive, in the hope that we might learn from mistakes. Looking at the past does wonders for clarifying the present. We think that perhaps now, more than ever, a trip to the IWM might be in order, anyone agree?
Remember, the Imperial War Museum is FREE to enter.
- posted by TerrorBull Games on 2 March 2008 - 0 comments
Wednesday 13th February 2008
War on Terror Game Session at Housmans Bookshop, London
Next Saturday, 23 February, War on Terror creator, Andrew Sheerin, and illustrator, Tom Morgan-Jones, will be leading an open gaming session of War on Terror at Housmans Booksellers in London.
The event will take place from 1pm (The shop closes at 6pm), but you are welcome to turn up at any time, although we can't guarantee you'll understand what's going on if you do. We plan to give a short introduction to the game, followed by a Q&A session before running a number of games, to give those who have not yet dabbled in the War on Terror a chance to experience its joyous and paranoid intensity. There will be plenty of time for a full game if that's what you're looking for. Maybe we'll arbitrarily dish out some prizes too - depends what the annual office clear-out turns up. We will, of course, be on hand to sign games too if you really want your possessions defaced.
So whether you're a veteran War on Terrorer or just a curious aggro-merchant, wondering how to stir up some trouble, you're all welcome.
We plan to give those who have not yet dabbled in War on Terror a chance to experience its joyous and paranoid intensity If you don't know Housmans, you should come along just for a look at a very special shop. They specialise in radical books and periodicals and other bits and pieces of interest (hence they stock the game) or things that generally espouse progressive politics. They're located at 5 Caledonian Road, literally just around the corner from Kings Cross station - so out-of-towners have no excuse; it's dead easy to get there.
We'd love to see as many people there as possible, so tell your friends, get a group together, or an angry mob, whichever feels more appropriate on the day.
Those details again, for the short-of-attention-span: War on Terror open gaming session, Housmans Bookshop, 1pm-6pm Saturday 23 February - 5 Caledonian Rd, London, UK. And...as an extra special treat, here's a MAP too.
For more information, contact us or contact them.
- posted by TerrorBull Games on 13 February 2008 - 0 comments
Thursday 7th February 2008
Undercover at the London Toy Fair
Last week was the end of January, which means time for our annual anonymous visit to the London Toy Fair. Since we were chucked out, we're reduced to attending incognito, slinking around in the shadows like the commercial lepers we are. It's not so bad; we can pretend we're James Bond inside an underground Russian military base and then the day just flies by.
The Toy Fair was the usual depressing mix of convention humdrum and people in suits talking about 'licencing opportunities' and 'marketing momentum' without any of the joy and excitement that you usually associate with toys and games. Seriously, most of these people could be selling kitchen units.
However, we did meet some interesting folk to help with future TBG projects and even a few friendly faces - yes, it's true, not everyone hates us. The should-be-sectioned, father-son bring-and-buy team from GenCon in Reading last August were there. Despite being scary bad men, they did write a very nice review of War on Terror in their excellent Games Gazette (established in 1980, no less), so we'd best be nice to them.
Biggest snub of the day was talking to the lovely smiley man at the Barnados stand. We played giant jenga with him and talked about Barnados' history at the Toy Fair and how they do really well out of donations from the other exhibitors. We tried to get out of him who the tightest companies were, but he was terribly diplomatic and refused to comment. "Ah, tell you what, give us your card and we'll donate a couple of games of 'War on Terror.", Andy S offered up. A brief, uncomfortable silence followed before Mr Barnados - without breaking his smile - replied "Better not." We can't even give the game away! You'd think we'd murdered someone's mother the reception we get...
All in all, a very productive day and we managed not to get thrown out this time. There's hope for us yet...
Breaking news! Check out the new EVIL Balaclava challenges which all have a brand spanking new prize, needless to say our generosity is growing...
- posted by TerrorBull Games on 7 February 2008 - 0 comments
Tuesday 29th January 2008
The World's Most Controversial Board Game?
According to the rather entertaining list put together by Deputy Dawg, War on Terror is one of the world's most controversial board games, sharing an illustrious place alongside the likes of "Jews, Out!" and "Capital Punishment".
We have a curious desire to play all the games on that list, but we should also point out some important omissions, namely Junta and Nuclear War. In fact, Battle to Baghdad has no place on the list - it's not in the least controversial, subversive or shocking, being, as it is, a straightforward war game condoning and sanctioning the war as seen from 'our' perspective, ie. 'right'. A random sentence from the sales pitch confirms: "You will take out airports, night bomb cities, hunt down Saddam Hussein ... ". This is exactly the kind of war game we were railing against with War on Terror.
Proving that shock sells, it was this small injection of controversy that meant on 'Black Monday', as the world's financial markets went into meltdown, sales of War on Terror took a sharp upward turn. It's what the wise kids are investing in for long-term stability. War, I mean, not board games.
This is how the world ends, not with a bang but with a (credit) crunch.
- posted by TerrorBull Games on 29 January 2008 - 0 comments
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