This is almost as much fun as America's Army- where war is just a game, or at least your child's training for war starts out that way... this is almost as much fun as Kuma, who are already preparing to (virtually) attack Iran...way to cash in on, and promote, human misery! Somewhere, in a dark undisclosed location, Dick Cheney is having a Very merry with that in mind.

HISTORY CHANNEL- Crusades (Activision)

"Travel back in time to the bloodiest period in history. The Holy Wars have begun and all must go to defend the land against the infidels! The call to action must be heeded by all; young and old, rich and poor will need to put differences aside until victory is immanent. You will command archers, infantry, crusaders and priests in this Real-Time Strategy game presented by The History Channel. Conquer challenges, master missions and defeat your enemy with armies of troops willing to die for their beliefs and land. Be apart of the righteous fight to preserve all that is good!"

Wow. Who wrote that crap promo text? Sounds just a bit biased and one-sided, doesn't it? Hardly promoting world peace and understanding in the Middle East. I mean, our troops who are in Iraq now are charged with protecting, assisting, training, working side-by-side with (shudder) Muslims, are they not? They are dying for American Interests (oil), for WMD- well, OK, maybe just a previous, abandoned wishful dream of WMD..they are dying to build a new Iraq. They are dying, ostensibly, for Iraqis, because we are such a generous nation we wish to bestow 'democracy' upon them, but alas they are proving unworthy with their uncivilized tribal quarrels, thus we will be morally justified in abandoning them soon, dicks in hands, high and dry...

Anyway, this whole escapade of Bush's crusade (his word choice, not mine) could be put into context by recalling the British occupation of the 20's, and also the Crusades. Remember, it's Istanbul not Constantinople?

So what's this about sending priests and soldiers to die for 'their' land, to claim victory over 'infidels', and and to fight for 'all that is good'? That's a pretty selective reading of History that the (gung-ho militaristic) Channel should be ashamed to put their name to. I mean, the game itself purports to allow for even-handed gameplay: you can also switch sides and play the Muslims, defending your land against the infidel (Christian) invaders, protecting all that is good by killing greedy, murderous Christians. Which is what I'm going to do today, in the spirit of Christmas. And after that I might join America's Army and see if I can do a little fragging...you know, pretend to be an American Muslim soldier grown tired of the racism of my comrades...or maybe friendly fire is magically disabled in their realistic simulation? Merry Christ Mass, NSA, and Happy Holy Days.