Somali Islamist Group Bans Videogames
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
- Start date
Hehe, Somalia's problems go far and beyond video games! I would imagine that there are very very few people in Somalia who could even afford to play video games. Also, I'm not sure of this but I don't think they even have an active government there since the early 90s.
Which is, of course, EXACTLY what the militant leaders want - uneducated, bored, angry young men are the sort of people whom the beardy chaps calling for jihad against the infidel West really want on their side, as it means they can watch someone else stick on the big explodey vest and chunter along to a fiery death. But I assume you all know that.
Fact is, it really wouldn't matter if Somalia's government wasn't weaker than the hamstrings of a newborn giraffe. If they had any semblance of control over their country and the Janjaweed militiamen who wander around ripping the place up with AKs, the argument would run thus: "So what if some lunatic fringe group decides to ban video games to go with their wide range of abominations unto the Big Beard In The Sky. They aren't the ones in power, hence the term 'fringe'. Now let's talk about something based in reality, like the fact that millions of people in our country are starving."
However, this particular bunch of murder enthusiasts control an area roughly the size of one of the Home Counties, so their viewpoint does actually carry some weight, undoubtedly mental though it is. Simply charging in all guns blazing and massacring the poor buggers in the name of freedom, liberty and Sonic the Hedgehog isn't going to help, though, because once again that's EXACTLY what the extremists want. If the head of a fringe organisation like these whackjobs is splattered over the surrounding Somali countryside then it might provoke the anger of other extremist groups. Ones that might actually be dangerous to us safe in the West, unlike the mob of berks mentioned in the article.
The problem isn't solved by going 'Oh look at der funny forriners hur hur hur dey are morons lol smiley-face' either. If you're going to have a view, at least have the decency to voice it with some close approximation of coherent thought...
I think that what they are doing is wrong, but I'm afraid that this site is pathetic. No TV, videogames or movies, what is there left to do in life? The horror! Being forced to actually go outside, it's tyrannical! For the love of god, grow up. Write, read, draw, hang out with friends, go for a walk/run, there's infinately more things to do than just electronics. I realize the irony in me posting this on a computer, but I never said I don't like electronics, they just aren't the only entertainment in life.
The problem you have here, old chap, is that you're assuming there's some other form of escape to be found in tiny villages and townships in rural Sudan. Let me be clear - I've seen BBC reports of the place. There ISN'T. ANYTHING. ELSE. There is, however, quite a large amount of empty space, sizeable deposits of semi-desertified veldt, and an abundance of absolutely bugger all.Asimov said:
Excuse me...they're FLOGGING PEOPLE FOR LISTENING TO MUSIC? And banning video games? The fuck??! Have or will they ban books, TV and magazines too? Maybe they'll outlaw children playing tag, because that's not a "social tradition"!?
...sorry, but goddamnit, those guys are fuckheads. You can't even trim your fucking beard there...like what the crap?
Yeah..I have nothing productive to contribute...just wanted to whine
...sorry, but goddamnit, those guys are fuckheads. You can't even trim your fucking beard there...like what the crap?
Yeah..I have nothing productive to contribute...just wanted to whine
Did you know you could get stoned to death for dancing to music...just thought I put that out there.Asimov said:
Ah, that was harsh, but depressingly true.Asehujiko said:
I'm not going to pretend to be an expert in Somalian life and politics, but it sure seems to me that someone needs to intervene at some point. If the only option for bored teenagers to fill their spare time is to pick up a real gun and join the extremists, then circumstances are simply out of control. This isn't really a matter of "Oh go on, give the kiddies their games back, you big bullies", but more one of "This has actually gone beyond totalitarianism, if any form of government at all". This is more about forcing the younger into joining the army, not by telling them to join, but by making it the only option.
On a side note, did Onmi's post really constitute a ban? It was a bit harsh, but it's like Asimov didn't even read the news article, let alone simply not fully comprehend it.